Objectives This study aims to explore the association between the spread of COVID-19 and external parameters. In this regard, temperature, population size, median age, and health care facilities of 58 different countries are considered as external factors. Methods A negative binomial regression model was fitted to identify the associations between the factors and cases of COVID-19 during the study periods. Results The temperature, population size, and median age are positively associated with the spreading rate of COVID-19. There is no evidence supporting that case counts of COVID-19 could decline in countries with better health care facilities. Also, an empirical model was presented to estimate the number of cases within a country using the external parameters. Conclusions It is impossible to express the change in the number of cases for a unit increase in each of the variables because a change in a single variable depends on different values of other variables. However, the findings of this study provide useful implications for the authorities and decision-makers to take specific precautionary measures.

Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) is considered an occupational hazard in the 21 st century resulting from the high utilization of computers, laptops, and mobile phones in the workplace. The current study aimed at determining the prevalence of computer vision syndrome and its associated factors among the academic staff of Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), Malabe campus amidst the COVID-19 pandemic using a sample of 145 academics based on stratified random sampling procedure. Required data were collected through a structured questionnaire. The participants of the study comprised 50.3% of females and 49.7% of males. About 45% were 20-30 years irrespective of gender. Dryness in the eyes (52.4%), itching (54.5%), eye pain (65.5%), and headache (76.6%) were the most common symptoms reported by the staff members, while colored halos around objects and double vision were experienced by around 20%. Most of the academics (42.1%) work 6-8 hours in front of the digital screen. Taking breaks in-between the working time (73.8%), adjusting the screen (62.1%), and adjusting the chair and posture (60.0%) were the most common methods used by the participants to minimize CVS. The rate of prevalence of CVS among the academic staff of SLIIT is 42.8%. This figure is lower than the corresponding figure reported in other countries. However, no significant association was found between the prevalence of CVS and gender, type of faculty, type of devices used, duration spent, preferred time to utilize the device, awareness of CVS, and actions to minimize CVS, but a strong significant association (p< 0.01) was found between the prevalence of CVS and age of the academic staff members. The rate of prevalence of CVS among academics aged over 60 years is 87.5%. Thus, a regular ocular screening program is recommended to reduce the prevalence of CVS among the academic staff of SLIIT starting from higher age groups.

Inappropriate self-medication usage has become a significant public health problem in all countries.This study is aimed to determine the perceived self-medication practices (SMP), associated factors and awareness on contraindications related to self-medication among undergraduates in a non-state university using a random sample of 138 undergraduates of the Faculty of Humanities and Sciences (FOHS) of Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT). The required data were acquired from a structured questionnaire consists of 31 questions in four parts. It was found that only 87% of the respondents had practiced self-medication in the past three months. Covid-19 restrictions (48.4%) and believing consultation for mild illnesses is unnecessary (44.0%) were the major reasons for SMP.The gender, age category, residing province, living with whom, study year, nationality, and household monthly income are not significantly associated with status of SMP, but the presence of chronic illnesses was significantly associated. The percentage of having SMP for those having chronic illness (87.9%) is significantly higher (p<0.05) than that for no chronic illness (78.5%). There was a significant association between the type of medicine use for SM and the levels of SM (high vs low). Also, the attitudes towards the statement "SM is effective similarly, to medicines prescribed by a doctor" is significantly associated (p=0.07) with the levels of SMP. Headache (80.7%) and common cold (43.0%) were the major health conditions for SMP, while painkillers (83.2%) and vitamins and minerals (47.8%) were the most used types of medicines. Conducting educational programs in pharmaceutical aspects is recommended to improve healthy medicinal compliance among the undergraduate population in Sri Lanka.