Knowledge, attitudes and self-perceived competencies on palliative care among medical officers at National Cancer Institute, Sri Lanka.

Introduction: Though palliative care is an essential component in the continuum of cancer care, it is still at an evolving phase in Sri Lanka. Objective: To identify knowledge, attitude, self-perceived competencies in practicing palliative care and factors associated among medical officers in National Cancer Institute, Sri Lanka. Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted among doctors in National Cancer Institute in 2020/21 using self-administered questionnaire to assess knowledge, attitudes and self-perceived competencies on palliative care. Doctors worked less than 3 months and directly not involved in patient care were excluded. Scoring systems were used to assess knowledge, attitudes and self-perceived competencies. A descriptive analysis of data was done using SPSS 21 using median scores, frequencies and chi- square test. Ethical clearance was taken from the Ethical Review Committee, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo. Results: Out of 120 doctors included in the study, 83 (69.3%) were females and 37 (30.7%) were males. Majority 101(84.2%) were Sinhalese. Sixty (60%) were 31-40 years. Eleven (9.2%) had training in service. Five (4.2%) had a percentage score for knowledge ≤50 while 57 (47.5%) had > 75. Only 3 (2.5%) had a percentage score for attitudes of 51-75 while 116 (96.7%) had > 75. For competency level 57 (47.5%) had percentage score ≤50 while 23 (19.2%) had > 75. Ethnicity, age, work experience, receiving undergraduate training were not significantly associated with knowledge, attitudes and practices (p > .05). Conclusion: Though level of knowledge and attitudes were high, self -perceived competencies were low which highlights the need of training in palliative care. Eg: undergraduate curricular and in-service.

Tobacco Control Strategies Enrich the National Strategic Plan on Prevention and Control of Cancer in Sri Lanka.

The National Cancer Control Programme Sri Lanka is the main government organization and focal point for coordinating the national response to prevention and control of cancer activities. Present National strategic plan on Cancer Prevention and Control (2020-2024) was developed by multi-sectoral expert groups. The present strategy derives its mandate from the overarching National policy documents including the NATA Act. Strategic objectives one and two of the National Strategic Plan identified the tobacco control measures. Several databases were searched to find out the relevant literature relevant to tobacco control strategies in Sri Lanka and the rest was collected from the university libraries, experts, and key persons in the field from the legal, and health sectors. It was identified more than 200 documents relevant to tobacco control. Strong legal legislations are available for measures to reduce the demand for tobacco products. Those are Protection from exposure to tobacco smoke, regulation of the contents of tobacco products, regulation of tobacco product disclosures, packaging and labeling of tobacco products, tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship, licit trade in tobacco products, sales to under 21, Provision of support for economically viable alternative activities. These legislations are covering by the NATA act. New formula for tobacco taxation was submitted to the Ministry of Health. Conclusion: Strong tobacco controlling laws and legislations are available in Sri Lanka that supports achieving one and two of the strategic objectives of the National strategic plan on cancer prevention and control in Sri Lanka. Policies are needed to regularize the increased tax rates to adjust for inflation and Gross Domestic Product. WHO has categorized Sri Lanka as one of the countries which can likely achieve a decrease in tobacco smoking prevalence (30%) by 2025.