BackgroundEnvironmental characteristics are known to be associated with patterns of physical activity (PA). Although several validated tools exist, to measure the environment characteristics, these instruments are not necessarily suitable for application in all settings especially in a developing country. This study was carried out to develop and validate an instrument named the “Physical And Social Environment Scale – PASES” to assess the physical and social environmental factors associated with PA. This will enable identification of various physical and social environmental factors affecting PA in Sri Lanka, which will help in the development of more tailored intervention strategies for promoting higher PA levels in Sri Lanka.MethodsThe PASES was developed using a scientific approach of defining the construct, item generation, analysis of content of items and item reduction. Both qualitative and quantitative methods of key informant interviews, in-depth interviews and rating of the items generated by experts were conducted. A cross sectional survey among 180 adults was carried out to assess the factor structure through principal component analysis. Another cross sectional survey among a different group of 180 adults was carried out to assess the construct validity through confirmatory factor analysis. Reliability was assessed with test re-test reliability and internal consistency using Spearman r and Cronbach's alpha respectively.ResultsThirty six items were selected after the expert ratings and were developed into interviewer administered questions. Exploration of factor structure of the 34 items which were factorable through principal component analysis with Quartimax rotation extracted 8 factors. The 34 item instrument was assessed for construct validity with confirmatory factor analysis which confirmed an 8 factor model (x2 = 339.9, GFI = 0.90). The identified factors were infrastructure for walking, aesthetics and facilities for cycling, vehicular traffic safety, access and connectivity, recreational facilities for PA, safety, social cohesion and social acceptance of PA with the two non-factorable factors, residential density and land use mix. The PASES also showed good test re-test reliability and a moderate level of internal consistency.ConclusionsThe PASES is a valid and reliable tool which could be used to assess the physical and social environment associated with PA in Sri Lanka.

217 CXRs of 133 patients (99 men, mean age 43.9±15.7 years;133 initial CXRs of 132 symptomatic patients; 84 follow-up radiographs of 33 patients) revealed 96(96/133;72.2%) normal initial CXRs. 12 patients with normal initial CXRs(12/96;12.5%) underwent follow up CXR but none was abnormal. Majority (21/37;56.75%) with abnormal CXR had mild (severity score 1-2) lung involvement. A severity score of 1 or more was associated with comorbidities (OR=3.14), male sex (OR=5.93) and increasing age (OR=1.06). ConclusionMajority of CXR in COVID-19 patients were normal during first wave in Sri Lanka. Majority with abnormal CXR had mild lung involvement.

Introduction: Early childhood nutrition plays an important role in growth and development of children. However, due to false beliefs of parents, undue prominence has been given to milk in the child's diet. Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitudes, practices and factors related to milk powder usage among mothers of 1-5 year old children. Method: A cross sectional study was carried out among 187 mothers of 1-5 year old children in five randomly selected weighing centres in Pitakotte MOH area using an interviewer administered questionnaire. Scores were given to knowledge, attitudes and practice. Results: The mean age of the children was 32 (SD 16.3) months. Mothers' knowledge on milk/milk powder and their usage was good in 20% and level of attitudes was good in 55%. Parents received information regarding milk powder from doctors (42.4%) and TV advertisements (36.5%). The commonest factor mothers considered when selecting a milk powder was the brand name (69.7%). Mean age of initiating cow's milk was 13.5 (SD 9.2) months. Forty seven percent selected a single brand to start feeding their children. At the time of conducting the survey, 47% were using one particular brand of full cream. While 52.8% gave concentrated milk, 33.7% gave diluted milk. One hundred and one (62%) used a cup while 44 (27%) used a bottle to give milk. Sixty (36.8%) mothers were giving the correct volume of milk, while 95 (58.3%) gave more than recommended. There was a statistically significant association between social class and level of practice (χ 2 =5.19;p<0.05;df=1). Practice was not significantly associated with mother's level of attitudes, knowledge, age, education, parity or the sex of the child.