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Tobacco smoking is an important problem among schoolchildren. The authors studied the patterns of tobacco smoking among schoolchildren in Colombo, Sri Lanka, using a self-administered questionnaire. Multistaged stratified random sampling was used to select 6000 students. Response rate was 90.7% (5446), out of which 53.4% were males. Prevalence rates for males and females, respectively, were as follows: having smoked at least 1 complete cigarette: 27.0% and 13.3%, smoked more than 100 cigarettes: 2.3% and 0.3%, daily smoking: 1.8% and 0.2%. Mean age of starting to smoke was 14.16 years. The tobacco products most used were cigarettes (91.5%) and bidis (3.8%). In univariate analysis, male gender, parental smoking, studying non-science subjects, peer smoking, and participating in sports were significantly associated with smoking of at least 1 complete cigarette (P < .05). In multivariate analysis, the most significant correlates were having close friends (odds ratio = 3.29, confidence interval = 2.47-4.37) or parents who smoked (odds ratio = 1.86, confidence interval = 1.28-2.71). Female smoking has increased from previously reported values. These high-risk groups can be targets for preventive programs., (© 2013 APJPH.)

There has been dramatic advancement in health status in the Asia-Pacific region (APR) over the past 50 years. This ever-changing paradigm of public health calls for continuous review and quality improvement of public health education (PHE). Since its founding in 1984, the mission of the Asia-Pacific Academic Consortium for Public Health (APACPH) has been to improve the quality and relevance of PHE to combat the diverse, dynamic, and unique challenges in the APR. Prof Walter Patrick was a forerunner in this movement and played an instrumental role in establishing APACPH's position in accreditation and improvement of PHE., (© 2014 APJPH.)

The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is an island in the Indian Ocean that has achieved a unique status in the world with health indicators that are comparable with those of developed countries. This is illustrated, among others, by the reduction in both child and maternal mortality in the country. This achievement is the result of a range of long-term interventions, including providing education and health care free of charge, training of health care workers, developing public health infrastructure in rural areas, and adopting steps to improve sanitation, nutrition, and immunization coverage.

Unintentional injuries are common among children of Sri Lanka and globally. These can be prevented by identification and modification of risk factors. A pre-tested, structured-observation and an interview were carried out in 270 households with children less than five years in three districts. A high prevalence of risk factors for falls (58.1%), burns (51.6%), sharps injuries (51.3%), choking (65.9%) and animal-bites (53.2%) were observed. Parental identification of risk factors was less. Parents educational level significantly affected both the prevalence of risk factors (P < .05) and parental awareness (P < .05). Only 38% has received injury prevention education and the attending physician has counseled only 5% of the parents. A high prevalence of risk factors, low parental awareness and inadequate counseling by primary care physicians was noted. Primary health-care providers should be educated to encourage counseling of parents during office visits.

The objective of this study is to evaluate the perceptions of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in tsunami relief camps on provision and quality of health care services, during the aftermath of the disaster. A randomly selected health administrative area in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka is selected. Two approaches using both quantitative and qualitative methods. The study assessed the perceptions of IDPs regarding on provision and quality of health care facilities, using an interviewer administered questionnaire (survey) in 200 family units. In-depth interviews were conducted with IDPs and relevant health authorities. A majority (88%) of the people was satisfied with the immediate medical assistance. However 48% of IDPs and authorities felt that frequency of visits paid by medical teams have decreased over time. Fifty-three percent were dissatisfied with the toilet facilities provided. A majority was satisfied with health education (82%) and supply of drinking water (80%). Tsunami survivors felt that health services provided during the intermediate phase was unsatisfactory compared to the immediate phase. We recommend attention to ensuring ongoing access to health care and to improving the sanitary facilities in the camps.