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    The Leo-Wick Research Grant and Scholarship Scheme

    Supporting post-graduate education in Sri Lanka

  • Aim of Grant Scheme

    • To support development of post-graduate researchers in Sri Lanka to advance an evidence informed approaches to finding solutions to critical public health problems 
    • To support, enable and inspire students and faculty to:
      • Undertake public health research and interventions that have meaningful social and health impact 
      • Catalyse development of innovative tools and technologies to address pressing public health challenges
    • To encourage peer review publication of research 
    • To advance under-researched areas of public health such as research on migrant and mobile populations.

  • Grant benefits and eligibility

    So far, over 350,000 LKR worth of grants have been issued

    Mentoring and expertise provided for successful grant recipients from international experts.

  • Application process

     

    Applications due on 5th May each year.

     

  • For Research Project or PhD/MSc Scholarship Application

    • The project proposal can be submitted by a single student or as joint application with a group. The supervisor must also be indicated.

    • A detailed budget must be included and justified.

    • The grant allows for all costs for the researcher/s to be covered

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    Suggested Headings for Research Proposal

    (4 to 6 pages only)

    1. Project title

     

    2. Abstract (max: 250 words)


    3. Background / rationale

    • Establish what the problem is drawing on evidence from peer reviewed references. A comprehensive literature review is not required. But must draw on a few key references to clearly explain and justify the problem that the research will address.
    • Identify clearly the gap in the literature that the proposed research will address
    • Should include research purpose/aim, and research question(s) and/or hypotheses all of which are well aligned. These should also align well with the proposed research design.

     

    4. Sub-questions/objectives (if relevant)

    • These should align well with the main research questions
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    5. Research design

    • Brief description of the broad research approach (qualitative or quantitative or mixed method) drawing on some evidence to justify the appropriateness of the proposed research approach.
    • Brief outline of the research setting, methods of data collection (example survey, qualitative interviews etc.), who the participants would be and a brief explanation of how participants will be accessed.
    • In this section you are not required to provide details of sample size calculation. Identifying minimum sample size required would be helpful.  
    • Not required to include details of how data will be analyzed.
    • Most important aspect for this section is the alignment and appropriateness of the research approach.  Research approach and data collection methods must align well with the problem, the research aim and research hypothesis/question. Proposed research approach and methods of data collection must be appropriate to the research aim.
    • If this research is a part of a bigger research project, provide a brief description of the overall research project and a brief explanation of how this proposed research fits into the bigger research project. 

    6. Anticipated outcomes / significance (point form)

    • Indicate the novelty of the proposed research in terms of contribution to either the global body of knowledge, or existing theory, and practice. 

    7. Timeframe

     

    8. Anticipated budget

  • Be empowered with a career in public health.

     

    Take the next step.

     

    Make an impact through high quality research that can change agendas and shed light on neglected health issues....

    Applications due 5th May each year

  • Send completed application form to:

    leowickscholarship@gmail.com

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  • The 2015 Leo-Wick Research Grant Inaugural Recipients

    CONGRATULATIONS!

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    FULL AWARD RECIPIENT of 100,000 LKR:

     

    • Students: WARM Ganegama and NSM Arachchi for their research project entitled:
    "Depression, suicidal ideation and history of deliberate self harm during pregnancy"

     

    PARTIAL AWARD RECIPIENT of 45,000 LKR:

     

     

    • Students: SS Senevirathna and N Karunamuni for their research project entitled:

     

    "A pilot study on responsive feeding interventions to improve weight gain during the introduction of complementary feeding"

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  • 2 Published Scientific Papers from the 2015 Awardees

    Knowledge and perceptions on responsive feeding among primary health care providers at field level in rural Anuradhapura

     

    N Karunamuni, S Senevirathne, P Pallewaththa, R Rathnayake, K Wickramage, S Agampodi, T Agampodi

     

     

    Background

    Responsive feeding (RF) is recognized as an effective intervention in preventing under nutrition in young children. Our observations within the community have shown that the practice of this concept is not satisfactory. Our aim is to explore the knowledge and perceptions on RF among Public Health Midwives (PHM) in Nuwaragam Palatha Central (NPC) MOH area, Anuradhapura.

     

    Methods

    We conducted a qualitative study using focus group discussions with two groups of PHMs each including 9 participants in NPC, MOH area. They were conducted according to Family Health International guidelines. Data analysis was done using framework approach. Ethical clearance was obtained for this study.

     

    Results

    None of these groups seems to have a clear understanding about the full concept of RF. All of them accepted that the mothers should feed their children in a separate place that is comfortable, attractive and free of distractions. Some of the PHMs knew that children should be fed according to a time table made according to child’s hunger signs. But mothers have made their own timetables for this purpose. They knew the importance of responding to the child promptly with age appropriate food and the importance of incorporating Early Childhood Care and Development concept while feeding though it is not practiced in their fields. Neither the PHMs were aware of reciprocity nor mother and child having reciprocity during feeding revealing that concept is not practiced in this setting.

     

    Conclusions

    PHMs have lack of understanding regarding the full concept, which could be a probable cause for the lack of practice of RF in the community.

     

    Keywords: Knowledge, Responsive feeding, Primary health care, Anuradhapura DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/amj.v9i2Supp.7557 Volume: 9, Issue: 2Supp

     

     

     

     

     

    Responsive feeding practices among caregivers in rural Anuradhapura; a missing component in infant feeding

     

    Authors

     

    S Senevirathne, N Karunamuni, P Pallewaththa, R Rathnayake, K Wickramage, S Agampodi, T Agampodi

     

     

    Background

    Responsive feeding (RF) is a strategy that has a positive impact on growth, caregiver behaviours and dietary intake of children. But concern given to RF in national nutrition programmes is inadequate. Our aim is to explore the knowledge and practices on RF among mothers having infants of 9 months in Nuwaragam Palatha Central (NPC) MOH area, Anuradhapura.

     

    Methods

    We conducted a qualitative study using in-depth interviews with mothers who were purposefully selected to represent different socio-demographic backgrounds. In-depth interviews were conducted according to Family Health International guidelines. Data analysis was done using framework approach. Ethical clearance was obtained for the study.

     

    Results

    Though mothers practice some components of the four step approach of RF, none of them seem to have effectively practiced the full concept in feeding their child. Only few mothers have prepared a separate feeding place. But, even those mothers were unable to stick to that place. And the preparation of the place was not satisfactory to meet the child’s desires. Mothers were good at identifying hunger and satiety signs. However, majority of mothers were not feeding their children in response to hunger signs but according to a time table made on their own. Letting the child watch television and taking the child around the garden were major factors of distraction while feeding. Mothers stated the difficulty in introducing new food to their children indicating the lack of reciprocity between the child and the caregiver.

     

    Conclusions

    The concept of RF is not effectively practiced in the community of NPC, MOH area.

    Keywords: Responsive Feeding practices, Care givers, Rural Anuradhapura DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/amj.v9i2Supp.7553 Volume: 9, Issue: 2Supp

     

  • Impact of 2015 projects

    Responsive feeding (RF) is a strategy that has a positive impact on growth, caregiver behaviours and dietary intake of children

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    Development of Training modules for Responsive feeding that has been adopted at District Level

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    Training of Public Health Midwives and incorporating RF into Primary Health Care practice...

  • 2016 Project Recipients

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    “Prevalence and Associated Factors of Anaemia among Patients Attending Out Patient Department in District General Hospital Kilinochchi”

    AWARD RECIPIENT of 100,000 LKR:

    Investigators: Hettiarachchi DAU, Thilakarathna OGNCK, Sirisena KDPS, Gamage SN, Kalainesan K

     

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    "Restless Leg Syndrome among Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease in Padaviya, Sri Lanka”

    AWARD RECIPIENT of 100,000 LKR

    Investigators: Prasanka MSK, Rathnayake RMAN, Lelwala TA, Sameera TGP

  • Grant contributions

    Acknowledgement

    Thanks for contributions in 2015

    Bala, Baba, Dr Kujan, Dr Gowrie, Cecil, Padma, Dinesh, Nalin, Prema, Chandra, Dr Loga, Gayathri, Sumudu, Ambi, Kappi, Kumaran, Telochana, Dushy, Krishnan, Mohan, Kosalai, Ranji, Rube, Praba, Shantha, Sanjeevan, Abinaya, Asha, Jasmine, Martin, Ingrain, Priya, Sashi, Lakshmi, Moorthy, Selvy, Myooran, Janani, Api, Bala, Keethana, Indna, Muni, Mala, Indrapalan, Thilaka, Manju, Younal, Hari, Mallika, Anjana, Nandi, Neeta, Geetha, Sarath, Kosala, Shamila.

    leowickscholarship@gmail.com

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