2021
Maternal and child health and nutrition (MCHN) policies and programs in Sri Lanka: a paradigm for public health in Asia
Agampodi T, Amarasinghe G, Wickramasinghe N, Warnasekara J, Perez-Escamilla R, Agampodi S. Maternal and child health and nutrition (MCHN) policies and programs in Sri Lanka: a paradigm for public health in Asia. Sri Lanka Journal Of Medicine 2021, 30: 70. DOI: 10.4038/sljm.v30i2.328.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchWelfare systemSri LankaCountry’s welfare systemEvidence-informed public health policyGender equityUnique nationLimited economic resourcesLocal communitiesChild healthEconomic resourcesPolicy makersUseful lessonsNutrition policiesPublic health policyTriple burdenForeign invasionImportance of healthFood securityHealth policyPolicyGoal targetLankaNutrition outcomesProgram plannersMiddle-income countriesDevelopment and Validation of a Tool to Assess Responsive Complementary Feeding: Sri Lanka’s Responsive Feeding Practices Assessment Tool (RFPAT)
Pallewaththa P, Agampodi T, Agampodi S, Pérez-Escamilla R, Siribaddana S. Development and Validation of a Tool to Assess Responsive Complementary Feeding: Sri Lanka’s Responsive Feeding Practices Assessment Tool (RFPAT). Current Developments In Nutrition 2021, 5: 5140988. PMCID: PMC8181222, DOI: 10.1093/cdn/nzab051_032.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchA self‐applied valid scale for rapid tracking of household food insecurity among pregnant women in Sri Lanka
Agampodi TC, Hromi‐Fiedler A, Agampodi SB, Amarasinghe GS, Wickramasinghe ND, Jayasinghe IU, Hettiarachchi AU, Perez‐Escamilla R. A self‐applied valid scale for rapid tracking of household food insecurity among pregnant women in Sri Lanka. Maternal And Child Nutrition 2021, 17: e13165. PMID: 33733618, PMCID: PMC8189217, DOI: 10.1111/mcn.13165.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPsychological distressConcurrent validityModel-fitting analysesItem severity scoresGood model fitCognitive testingAdult versionParameter logistic modelPregnant womenPsychometric propertiesSecurity ScaleValid scaleCaribbean Food Security ScalePsychometric validationCOVID-19 pandemicModel fitDistressSTATA version 14Item 8Valid toolPregnancy cohortSeverity scoreSpecial clinicFood Security ScaleHousehold food insecurity
2020
Strengths and Barriers in Achieving “Green Status” of Breastfeeding; The Story of Frontline Health Care Workers in Sri Lanka
Agampodi T, Dharmasoma N, Dissanayaka T, Koralagedara I, Warnasekara J, Pérez-Escamilla R, Agampodi S. Strengths and Barriers in Achieving “Green Status” of Breastfeeding; The Story of Frontline Health Care Workers in Sri Lanka. Current Developments In Nutrition 2020, 4: nzaa043_002. PMCID: PMC7258521, DOI: 10.1093/cdn/nzaa043_002.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPublic health midwivesFrontline health care workersHealth care workersHome visitsCare workersGrass root level health workersLactation management centrePostpartum home visitsSri LankaPublic health systemProper breastfeedingIrrational prescriptionCup feedingLabour roomEarly initiationHealth workersCurrent recommendationsHigher social classHealth systemFunding sourcesCare provisionSri Lankan communityFocus group discussionsMothersBreastfeedingSri Lanka; The First Ever Only “Green Nation” in the World for Breastfeeding; Yet Lessons to Learn Through Exploring Maternal Perspectives
Agampodi T, Dharmasoma N, Dissanayaka T, Koralagedara I, Warnasekara J, Agampodi S, Pérez-Escamilla R. Sri Lanka; The First Ever Only “Green Nation” in the World for Breastfeeding; Yet Lessons to Learn Through Exploring Maternal Perspectives. Current Developments In Nutrition 2020, 4: nzaa054_001. PMCID: PMC7257544, DOI: 10.1093/cdn/nzaa054_001.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchExclusive breast feedingWorld Breastfeeding Trends InitiativeCesarean sectionInfant formulaDemand feedingChild welfare clinicsBreast feedingHealthy infantsEBF practiceBreast milkWeeks postpartumInadequate milkHealth staffWard environmentMaternal stressMaternal perceptionChild birthMaternal worryMonthsMothers' perceptionsPoor positioningMothersSecond occasionBreastfeedingPain