08. HEALTH SCIENCES

EFFECT OF UNANI FORMULATIONS IN MENORRHAGIA – A CASE STUDY

2026-07-15T06:43:26Z

EFFECT OF UNANI FORMULATIONS IN MENORRHAGIA – A CASE STUDY Masha, H.A.A.; Farzana, M.U.Z.N. Menorrhagia or Kasrat e Tams is excessive or prolonged menstrual bleeding at regular intervals. It is a symptom and not in itself a disease, which significantly impacts women's quality of life. While multiple treatments exist, some cases remain unresponsive, necessitating alternative approaches. This case study evaluates the clinical effect of specific Unani formulations in managing chronic menorrhagia unresponsive to previous treatments. A 29 year-old nulliparous woman residing in Australia had experienced heavy menstrual bleeding for five years. She underwent both Ayurveda and allopathic treatments for nine months but no relief was obtained. Upon returning to Sri Lanka, she sought care at the National Ayurveda Teaching Hospital, Borella, where she was admitted from April 6 to April 28, 2025, for Unani treatment. Clinical examination revealed pallor; ultrasonography indicated an increased endometrial thickness of 20–21 mm without other pelvic pathologies. The patient received oral Unani formulations: Qurs-e Kehruba one tablet morning and evening, Qurse kustae faulad two tablets morning and evening, Safoof-e-Habis-ud-Dam 5gm morning and evening, powder of Haleela, baleela and Amla 5gm morning and evening and Majoon e- Dabeed-ul-Ward 5gm morning and evening. Additionally, daily sitz baths with Post-e-Anar, Roasted Alum and Mazu Sabz decoctions and powder of Imly paste on lower abdomen for one month were administered. After continued one-month treatment, pallor resolved, and the patient reported normal menstrual flow. This case highlights the potential of Unani formulations in managing chronic menorrhagia resistant to other treatments. As this is a single case report, findings cannot be generalized; further controlled studies are justified.

DETECTION OF ANTIBIOTIC-RESISTANT BACTERIA IN DRINKING WATER SOURCES WITHIN THE COLOMBO DISTRICT OF SRI LANKA

2026-07-15T06:44:11Z

DETECTION OF ANTIBIOTIC-RESISTANT BACTERIA IN DRINKING WATER SOURCES WITHIN THE COLOMBO DISTRICT OF SRI LANKA Azwer, D.A. The rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in water distribution systems poses a significant risk to public health, particularly in regions such as Sri Lanka, where much of the infrastructure was built decades ago and may not meet present-day standards for bacterial control. This study aimed to detect the presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in drinking water sources within the Colombo District of Sri Lanka, focusing on two household sampling sites to which water is supplied by the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB). Five biological replicates were analysed using various culturing methods: direct spread plating, direct quadrant streaking, and nutrient broth enrichment spread plating. This was followed by colony morphology observation, Gram staining, biochemical tests: catalase test, oxidase test, methyl-red, and Antibiotic susceptibility testing (ABST) via Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. The antibiotics tested were Gentamycin (10µg), Vancomycin (30µg), Ciprofloxacin (5µg), and Ampicillin (10µg). The results were analysed using Cowan and Steel’s biochemical guidelines, WHO-listed waterborne pathogens, and CLSI guidelines. No fully resistant bacterial species were observed across all samples. However, potential intermediate resistance to Ciprofloxacin (5µg) by provisional Campylobacter spp. or Pseudomonas spp. was observed across an isolate from each sampling site, validating the importance of performing routine ABST to monitor bacterial resistance trends. Statistical analysis (ANOVA) confirmed no significant variation in antibiotic response across the samples. Future work should utilise molecular methods such as PCR for bacterial species confirmation and sample collection from multiple districts to assess bacterial resistance trends.

DIETARY INTAKE AND NUTRITIONAL STATUS AMONG ADOLESCENTS IN A SELECTED SCHOOL IN MONARAGALA DISTRICT, SRI LANKA

2026-07-15T06:47:08Z

DIETARY INTAKE AND NUTRITIONAL STATUS AMONG ADOLESCENTS IN A SELECTED SCHOOL IN MONARAGALA DISTRICT, SRI LANKA Rathnayaka, R M D J; Premasiri, S B W D; Bhagya, K A D L; Udayakumari, L A M H P This cross-sectional survey assessed dietary intake and nutritional status of 95 students, aged 15 to 16 years, from a selected national school in Monaragala district, Sri Lanka, at an academic stress period due to ordinary-level examination. The study's main objectives are to assess adolescents' dietary intake patterns using a seven-day food diary and determined to determine their anthropometric measures (BMI, Weight and Height). Participants were trained to complete a structured seven-day food diary. Nutrient information was calculated for Sri Lankan food based dietary guidelines in order to approximate average daily servings for the most significant food groups. The anthropometric data showed that the corresponding values for mean BMI, weight, and height for girls and boys were 19.66 kg/m², 44.20 kg, 150.13 cm, 19.54 kg/m², 47.05 kg, and 154.99 cm. This expressed that both genders had healthy levels of BMI. Boys have consumed significantly higher numbers of servings of starch and cereals compared to girls (p ≤ 0.05), with an average of 12.644 servings compared to 11.726 servings for girls. Although serving size is lower than the recommended level for fish, eggs, and lean meat, the serving size of boys (1.439) is significantly higher (p ≤ 0.05) than that of girls (1.096). However, except for cereals and starches, the intake of the remaining food groups like pulses and legumes, fruits, vegetables, milk and dairy products, sugars and sweets, oily nuts, oils and fats was less than the daily minimum requirements for both genders. Notably, there was no significant correlation between gender, anthropometric measurements, and serving size in any food group. These findings indicate that while both boys and girls are healthy in terms of BMI, their dietary patterns are unhealthy, with suboptimal intake of several important food groups. Interventions and focused nutrition education are needed to overcome these nutritional deficits and promote a better adolescent diet.

ASSOCIATION OF WHITE BLOOD CELL AND PLATELET INDICES WITH BODY MASS INDEX AMONG FEMALE UNIVERSITY UNDERGRADUATES IN SRI LANKA

2026-07-15T06:48:32Z

ASSOCIATION OF WHITE BLOOD CELL AND PLATELET INDICES WITH BODY MASS INDEX AMONG FEMALE UNIVERSITY UNDERGRADUATES IN SRI LANKA Senanayake, A.I.; Mannage, P.M.N.I.; Thennakoon, S.M. Obesity is a significant health concern among young adults, yet its impact on haematological parameters in young individuals remains underexplored. The present study found that a higher body mass index (BMI) was linked to increased white blood cell (WBC) count and platelet indices, along with a decreased eosinophil percentage, suggesting obesity-related haematological alterations even in healthy undergraduates. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 91 healthy females aged 18-25 after obtaining ethical approval from the Ethics Review Committee of the Institute of Biology, Sri Lanka (ERC IOBSL 380/11/2024). Participants were required to complete a self-administered questionnaire to select healthy individuals without a diagnosed chronic illness. Participants were excluded if they smoked, consumed alcohol, were pregnant, recently ill, had haematological disorders, donated blood within the last six months, or used medications/supplements affecting haematological parameters. Anthropometric measurements were employed to calculate BMI. Height was recorded using a standard stadiometer, with participants standing upright, their heels, hips, and head aligned against the measuring surface. Body weight was assessed using a calibrated electronic scale. Participants were divided into four groups according to Asian BMI classification: underweight (BMI<18.5kg/m2), normal weight (BMI=18.5 22.9 kg/m2), overweight (BMI=23.0-24.9 kg/m2) and obese (BMI≥25.0 kg/m2). The full blood count analysis was performed using an automated haematology analyser (Mindray BC-20, Shenzhen, China). Correlation analysis was performed using Pearson or Spearman coefficients, with p-values < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Statistically significant positive correlations were observed between BMI and total WBC (r =0.434, p =0.000), absolute granulocyte count (r =0.362, p =0.000), platelet count (PLT) (r =0.326, p =0.002), and plateletcrit (PCT) (r =0.383, p =0.000), whereas eosinophil percentage showed a significantly negative association (r = -0.272, p =0.009). Several WBC and platelet indices, including absolute lymphocyte count (r =0.032, p =0.763), monocyte percentage (r = -0.187, p = 0.077), mean platelet volume (r = 0.002, p = 0.982), and platelet distribution width (r = 0.048, p = 0.653), did not demonstrate statistical significance with the BMI. Future research should explore causal relationships between BMI and haematological alterations in more diverse populations. Therefore, the present study contributes to understanding obesity induced haematological alterations and provides a basis for future longitudinal investigations.