Investigator(s)
| WHO Technical Officer |
Manjula Nishanthi Danansuriya WHO country office, Sri Lanka Manjula Nishanthi Danansuriya 
|
| Principal Investigator |
Chiranthika Vithana Family Health Bureau, Ministry of Health, Chiranthika Vithana
|
| Co-Investigator(s) |
Ayesha Lokubalasooriya Family Health Bureau, Ministry of Health, Ayesha Lokubalasooriya
|
| Co-Investigator(s) |
Chithramalie de Silva Family Health Bureau, Ministry of Health, Chithramalie de Silva
|
| Co-Investigator(s) |
Chinthika Liyanage Family Health Bureau, Ministry of Health, Chinthika Liyanage
|
| Co-Investigator(s) |
Wasu Jayasinghe Family Health Bureau, Ministry of Health, Wasu Jayasinghe
|
Title(s) and abstract
| Scientific title | Global School-based Student Health Survey Sri Lanka - 2024 |
| Public title | Global School-based Student Health Survey Sri Lanka - 2024 |
| Background | Adolescence period represents a significant time of rapid emotional, physical, and intellectual growth, transitioning to adulthood and they are vulnerable to premature death from accidents, suicide, etc. They comprise 20% of Sr Lanka’s population. Sri Lanka is experiencing NCD epidemic with increasing ageing population. With the pandemic and current economic crisis, children and adolescents are facing many health and nutrition related issues. The Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS) is a collaborative initiative introduced in 2001 enabling countries to estimate and analyze behavioural risk and protective factors across 10 key areas among adolescents aged 13 - 17 years. Countries have utilized GSHS to periodically monitor the students’ health behaviours. The last GSHS was in 2016. since then, the country has faced significant socio-economic and other challenges, with COVID-19 pandemic and economic crisis which have negatively impacted the adolescents. MOH is planning update many Chid health related policies in reaching SDG at present. Conducting a GSHS survey at this juncture would offer valuable insights on current situation of adolescents; support updating policies |
| Objectives | To describe the knowledge and practices/ behaviours relevant to dietary habits, physical activity, hygiene, mental health, oral health, alcohol use, tobacco use, substance use, injuries and violence among adolescents of grade 8-12 in government schools in Sri Lanka To determine family, social and environmental factors affecting the health of adolescents in dietary habits, physical activity, alcohol use, substance use, mental health, tobacco use, injuries and violence among adolescents of grade 8-12 in government schools in Sri Lanka |
| Study Methods | School based Cross sectional study from June 2024-May 2025. Study population - students in grades 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 in government schools. Sample size= 3130 with 313 clusters of 10 students each, employing two-stage cluster sample design. First stage of sampling will select the 40 schools with PPS. Then number of clusters to be selected from each school calculated probability proportionate to the total number of students in grades 8-12. A self-administered standard GSHS questionnaire with 11 modules will be culturally adapted and translated to Sinhala and Tamil by experts and back-translated into English. Final questionnaire will be pretested among 25 students in a school which is not selected for study proper. PI will oversee the data collection process. Ethical approval & necessary administrative clearence will be obtained. Data collection will be supported by Public Health Inspectors following a specific training and with Close supervision by Medical Officers of Health. Informed written consent will be obtained from parents /guardians through information form and consent form through students. Data collection will be coordinated with the respective school principals with minimal disturbances for school activities. Participants will receive an information sheet. Privacy and confidentiality will be ensured. Participants will be informed that their participation is voluntary. Confidentiality of the data provided by students will be strictly maintained.The PI will randomly cross-check the data to ensure its accuracy. The study will be completed among the whole study population within the shortest possible time. Data will be coded & analyzed using SPSS V23. Results will be presented using percentages along with a 95% confidence intervals. |
| Expected outcomes and use of results | 1. Identify the common health issues among adolescents and their knowledge gaps, to decide on the priority action areas for next 5 years & Training need of the health and education staff 2. As an evaluation tool on school health initiatives conducted in the past 3. Findings will be used as advocacy tools to advocate the health care and education policy makers for better evidence informed interventions |
| Keywords | Global school Health Survey; Sri Lanka; School children; Adolescent |
Research Details
| Student research | No |
| Start Date | 01-Jun-2024 |
| End Date | 30-May-2025 |
| Key Implementing Institution | Family Health Bureau, Ministry of Health |
| Multi-country research | No |
| Nationwide research | Yes |
| Research Domain(s) | Maternal, Reproductive and Child Health |
| Research field(s) | Child Health |
| Involves human subjects | Yes |
| Population-Based Survey | |
| Data Collection | Primary data |
| Proposal reviewed by other Committee | Under Review |