Mrs. K.G.P.H. Kandegedara

Education

• M. Phil. in Health Promotion – Rajarata University of Sri Lanka (2020)

• Post Graduate Diploma in Epidemiology – University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka

• B.Sc (Honors) in Health Promotion – Rajarata University of Sri Lanka (2010)

Professional Qualification

• Certificate Course in Teaching in Higher Education – Rajarata University of Sri Lanka (2014)

Memberships of Professional Bodies/Associations

• Member of the Young Scientific Forum (YSF), National Science and Technology Commission

Research Interests

• Health Promotion

• Child Health

• Adolescent Health

• School Health and School Health Policies

• Nutrition

• Tobacco prevention

• Alcohol prevention

• Social Determinants of Health

• Health Equity

Teaching Courses

Theory

• HPT 1103 – Concepts of Health

• HPT 1209 – Measures of Health

• HPT 3107 – Future Directions in Health Promotion

• HPT 4501 – Child Wellbeing and Development

Field Practical Placement

• First Year Field Practical Placement

• Second Year Field Practical Placement

• Third Year Field Practical Placement

Appointments

• Senior Lecturer (2020, March to Present), Department of Health Promotion, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Mihintale, Sri Lanka

• Member – Academic Development and Planning Committee, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Mihintale, Sri Lanka

• Student Counselor (2021, August to 2022, August), Department of Health Promotion, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Mihintale, Sri Lanka.

• Lecturer (Probationary) (2012, April to 2020, March), Department of Health Promotion, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Mihintale, Sri Lanka

• Lecturer (Temporary) (2011, October to 2012, April), Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Mihintale, Sri Lanka

• Academic Sub–Warden, (2010 – 2016), Swarnapali and Rathnamali girls’ hostels, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Mihintale, Sri Lanka.

• Demonstrator (Temporary) (2010, September to 2011, October), Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Mihintale, Sri Lanka

Consultancies

Conference/ Journal Article Reviewer

• Reviewer of the 1st International Research Conference, Faculty of Technology, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Mihintale, Sri Lanka. 2022, Sri Lanka, Track: Health

Research and Projects

• 2022 -2024 – Morphological and molecular assessment of Leishmaniasis parasite and potential sand fly vectors in Medawachchiya PHI area. (Supervisor)

• 2022 -2023 – Effectiveness of a Health Promotion intervention in addressing selected determinants of work-life balance among nurses in Uva province. (Supervisor)

• 2022- 2023 – Development and Validation of a Tool to Assess the Implementation of National Nutrition Guidelines for School Settings in Sri Lanka (SNGPAT-SL) (Principal Investigator)

• 2022 -2023 – Exploring Social Capital and Externalizing Behaviors among Adolescents and  Emerging Adults in Rural Sri Lanka; a Qualitative Study (Co-investigator)

• 2023 – 2025 – Effectiveness of a Health Promotion Approach to Improving Early Childhood Cognitive Development Outcomes by Addressing Prenatal Stress among Working Mothers in Sri Lanka: Application of the Double ABC-X Model of Family Stress

• 2022- 2024 – Association between Individual, Family and Peers level media influences, and Eating Behaviors among Children in Sri Lanka; Mixed Model Analysis (Co-investigator)

• 2020 -2025 – Establishment   of   Mobile     Vector Surveillance Unit (MVSU) and facilitation of Leishmaniasis vector surveillance in Madawachchiya MOH area, Anuradhapura District, Sri Lanka. (Funded by WHO) (Co-investigator)

• 2021 -2022 -Strengthening National Nutrition Polices Implementation for Adolescents in Sri Lanka, Qualitative Study: Central Province, Sri Lanka (Co-investigator)

• 2021- 2011 – Academic engagement via   online modes   among   the school going children:   Cross – Sectional Study, Anuradhapura District, Sri Lanka (Principal Investigator)

• 2017 -2019 – A health promotion intervention in school settings to promote psychosocial wellbeing and educational performance of early adolescents in Kotmale educational zone, Sri Lanka (Principal Investigator)

• 2009 -2010 – A Health Promotion intervention to optimize the provision of children needs through parental awareness in selected community in Galenbindunuwewa MOH area, Sri Lanka (Principal Investigator)

Publications

Journal

• K.G.P.H. Kandegedara, K.M.N. Perera, & G.G.N. Guruge., 2020. Assessment of the Existing School Health Promotion Program in a Selected Educational Zone, Sri Lanka – Cross – Sectional Study. International Journal for Research in Applied Sciences and Biotechnology, 7(1), 13-19. https://doi.org/10.31033/ijrasb.7.1.3

Abstract

• Manamperi, M., Wijegunawardana, N.D.A.D., Kandegedara, P. (2022). Estimation of the
  vectorial potential of wild-caught sandfly fauna for Leishmania parasite- A study in an endemic
  area in Sri Lanka. Proceedings of the 3rd World Conference on Public Health 2022 (WCPH-22).
  pg81

• Manamperi, M., Wijegunawardana, N.D.A.D., Kandegedara, P., Jayammanan, J.M.A.I.K.
  (2022). What a KAP survey reveals about the awareness regarding Leishmaniasis among the
  community of an endemic area in Sri Lanka? Proceedings of the Joint International Tropical
  Medicine Meeting (JITMM), Bangkok, Thailand. Pp350.

• Kandegedara,K.G.P.H,. Fernando, W.M.S. and Guruge, G.N.D., 2011. An intervention to optimize the fulfillment of children needs through strengthening mother, 2nd Annual research session. Rajarata university of Sri Lanka.

• Kandegedara,K.G.P.H,. Fernando, W.M.S. and Guruge, G.N.D., 2012. Effectiveness of health promotion approach in improving maternal Knowledge regarding importance in fulfilling children’s needs in a village in Anuradhapura District: National Science and Technology Commission YSE Symposium, Colombo, Sri Lanka.

• Kandegedara,K.G.P.H,. Fernando, W.M.S. and Guruge, G.N.D., 2012. Health promotion approach to optimize the fulfillment of children needs through strengthening mother’s view. In: International ECCD conference, (Organize by ARNEC, National Coalition for ECCD and the World Bank) Indonesia, Jakartha

• V.P.K.K. Jayasinghe, W.T. Rishani, D.M.T.H. Dissanayaka,Y.Sivakumar, H.C.Kumarathunga,  K.G.P.H.Kandegedara, M.Fernando, L.Senarathna, G.G.N.Du minda., 2014. Applicability of Health Promotion In Money Management: Assessing Efectiveness OfA Health Promotion   Intervention In Improving   Proper Money Spending of UniversityStudents. iPurse, University of Peradeniya

• Y.M, Himasha Sahini, Dasuni Nimsara, Chethana Nuwani, Nethmi Tharushika, Nethmi Harunthika, Prabuddhika Harshani Kandegedara., 2019. Identifying the Determinants of Health among School Going Children through a Health Promotion Process – A Success Story of a School. Kotmale Educational Research Conference, Kotmale

• Pawani Hansamani, Nethmi Bagya, Adeesha Deshani, Kavisha Lakshi, Oshadi Vidurangani, Nimesha Sammanai, Prabuddhika Kandegedara., 2019. Improving the Perceived Level of Happiness of School Children through a Group-Based Health Promotion Intervention. Kotmale Educational Research Conference, Kotmale.

• Risidhi Dewmini, Semini Idusarani, Chaduli Lakshi1, Dewmi Diwyanjali, Amasha Ekmini,Tharushi Prabodhya, Prabuddhika Harshani Kandegedara., 2019. Enhancing Student Engagement in Academic Activities through Health Promotion Approach – A Success Story. Kotmale Educational Research Conference, Kotmale.

• Maleesha Nilakshani, Nethimi Tharusha, Sithmi Amasha, Hasini Diwyanjali, Dewimini Kanchana, Nethmini Kanchana, Thakshila Damsarani, Prabuddhika Kandegedara., 2019. Effectiveness of a Health Promotion Intervention in Creating a Supportive Learning Environment – A Success Story. Kotmale Educational Research Conference, Kotmale.

• Kavisha Dinithi, Pujani Imasha, Sawani Araliya, Oshadi Aparna, Nadeera Sithimini, Sanjana Dewmin, Prabuddhika Kandegedara. 2019. Health Promotion Approach to Address Negative Behaviors among School Students – A Group Based Success Story. Kotmale, Educational Research Conference, Kotmale.

• Sithumi Saubagya, Achini Kaumini, Keshani Nawodya, Dinithi Saumya, Prabuddhika Harshani Kandegedara.,   2019. Enhancing Academic Achievements through a Health Promotion Intervention – A Group Based Experience. Kotmale Educational Research Conference, Kotmale.