Two New Studies Launched at the Duke-Ruhuna Collaborative Research Centre to Address Childhood Development and Prison Health in Southern Sri Lanka

The Duke-Ruhuna Collaborative Research Centre, based at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna, launched two new public health research projects: The Child Development Project and The Prison Project. These studies are in collaboration with Duke University and Duke Kunshan University.

 

𝟏. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭

Title: Assessment of Childhood Developmental Delays and Integrated Care Opportunities among Estate Populations in Galle District

Principal Investigator: Prof. Champa Wijesinghe, Professor in Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna

This project aims to assess developmental delays among children in estate communities of the Galle District, a population often underserved in mainstream health services. By identifying developmental challenges early, the project intends to facilitate integrated care opportunities tailored to this high-risk group.

Key Collaborators:

· Dr. S.A.C. Senadheera, Clinical Psychologist and Senior Lecturer

· Prof. Truls Østbye, Professor, University of Bergen and Duke-NUS Medical School

· M.Sc. students: Zishuo Wu and Meichen Yap (Duke University/Duke Kunshan University)

· Research Assistants: Miss K.D.B. de Silva and Mr. H.S.J. Tharaka

· Project Coordinator: Mrs. R.Y.W. Bhawangi Jayadeepa

Ethical clearance has been received, and we are now proceeding with finalizing the data entry forms in REDCap and taking institutional permission. The study instruments have already been translated into Sinhala following the standard protocol, and now we are in the process of cognitive interviewing and cognitive expert panel review. A Pilot administration is planned with 2 kids and their parents. We are planning to start data collection by mid-June.

 

𝟐. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭

Title: Burden of Skin Diseases Among Adult Inmates of Galle Prison: Patterns of Dermatoses, Skin-Related Quality of Life, and Psychological Distress

Principal Investigator: Dr. Achala Liyanage, Senior Lecturer, Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna

Ethical clearance has been received, and permission was granted by the Prison High Commission to proceed with the project from the 2nd of July. We are now in the process of expediting it to a date by mid-June. The study instruments are already finalized. As soon as the permission is received, data collection will proceed.

Key Collaborators:

· Prof. Truls Østbye, University of Bergen and Duke-NUS

· Students: Christine Tissera and Jude Lee (Duke University)

· Research Assistants: Miss K.D.B. de Silva and Mr. H.S.J. Tharaka

· Project Coordinator: Mrs. R.Y.W. Bhawangi Jayadeepa

Both projects are funded through the MSc-GH Fieldwork Fund from Duke University and Duke Kunshan University, highlighting the importance of international collaboration in tackling localized public health challenges.