Dr. K. Karthijekan

Dr. K. Karthijekan is a senior lecturer in nursing attached to the Department of Supplementary Health Sciences, Faculty of Health-Care Sciences, Eastern University Sri Lanka. He received his PhD in Nursing from the Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. His PhD research was a randomized controlled trial that aimed to improve the physical activity level, exercise self-efficacy and cardiovascular risk factors of patients with coronary heart disease in Sri Lanka. His research interests focus on cardiovascular health and critical care nursing. 

His passion is experimenting new approaches for behavioural modification to alleviate the risk factors for non-communicable diseases, such as physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, thus could improve the overall quality of life of people. His research also focusing to improve the nursing care at clinical and community setting through experimenting theoretical-based nurse-led interventions. 

He received his B.Sc. (Hons) degree in Nursing from Eastern University, Sri Lanka, followed by M.Sc. in Food and Nutrition at University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka. He has supervised many research projects and has served as reviewer for international conferences and journals. He has published his research findings in high indexed journals, such as International Journal of Nursing Studies and PLOS One and national and international forums.

He is a registered nurse (RN) in Sri Lankan Nursing Council, a life member in Nutrition Society of Sri Lanka and the professional member of European Society of Cardiology.

• Google Scholar:
  https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=74DfrVoAAAAJ&hl=en
• Research Gate:
  https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Karthikesu-Karthijekan
• ORCID:
  https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1222-3909

Indexed Journal Articles

1. Karthijekan, K., & Cheng, H.Y. (2022). Effectiveness of a motivated, action-based intervention on improving physical activity level, exercise self-efficacy and cardiovascular risk factors of patients with coronary heart disease in Sri Lanka: A randomized controlled trial protocol. PLoS ONE 17(7): e0270800. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0270800
2. Chong, M. S., Sit, J. W. H., Karthijekan, K., & Chair, S. Y. (2021). Effectiveness of technology-assisted cardiac rehabilitation: A systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 124.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2021.104087      

Peer Reviewed Journal Articles

1. Karthijekan, K., Ranil, J., Arulpragasam, A.N., & Arulnithy, K. (2018). Body weight perception and weight loss practices among a group of Sri Lankan university students. Ceylon Journal of Medical Science, 55(2): 36–41. http://doi.org/10.4038/cjms.v55i2.4937
2. Karthijekan, K., & Karunakaran, K.E. (2017). Knowledge on breast cancer and practices on breast self-examination among female students in Faculty of Health-Care Sciences, Eastern University, Sri Lanka. International Journal of Multidisciplinary studies, 4(1):17-27.  http://doi.org/10.4038/ijms.v4i1.33

Presentations at International / National / Regional Conferences /Symposia

International level

1. Karthijekan, K., & Cheng, H.Y. (2021). Translation and psychometric evaluation of the Tamil version of the cardiac exercise self-efficacy instrument. Abstract presentation. Twenty third Diabetes and Cardiovascular risk factors-East meets West symposium 2021, Hong Kong.
2. Karthijekan, K., & Cheng, H.Y. (2021). Effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions on health outcomes of coronary heart disease: A literature review. Abstract presentation. Seventh Pan-Pacific Nursing Conference, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.

National level

1. Karthijekan, K., Kisokanth, G., & Josepha, J. (2014). Knowledge of sexually transmitted diseases among first year students of Eastern University, Sri Lanka. Full paper presentation at 3rd International Research Conference, Eastern University, Sri Lanka.
2. Karthijekan, K. (2016). Factors Influence on Knowledge of HIV/AIDS among first year students of Eastern University, Sri Lanka. Abstract presentation, 3rd International conference on social sciences, Research Centre for Social Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.
3. Laavanya, M., Sadeera, S.D.H., Premachandra, W.M.C.M., Priyangani, T.R.A.,  Dahanaka, D.R.N.S., Karthijekan, K., Kartheepan, K., & Josepha, J. (2016). Prevalence and risk factors of overweight and obesity among adults in Batticaloa district. Abstract presentation, 5th International Research Conference on Humanities and Social Sciences, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka.
4. Laavanya, M., Karthijekan, K., Kartheepan, K., Josepha, J., Sadeera, S.D.H., Premachandra, W.M.C.M., Priyangani, T.R.A., & Dahanaka, D.R.N.S. (2016). Nutritional status and factors associated with weight distribution among adults in Batticaloa district. Abstract presentation, 17th International Postgraduate Research Conference, Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.
5. Wafeetha Begam, A.G., Karthijekan, K., Kartheepan, K., Genoosha, N., Mythreye, T., Kajananthan, K., Uresiya Costha, L.A.M., Hasanthika, M.A.W., & Iresha Priyadarshani N.W.P. (2016). Knowledge regarding childhood diarrhoea among mothers having children under the age of five years in Batticaloa district. Abstract presentation, 17th International Postgraduate Research Conference, Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.
6. Karthijekan, K., & Karunakaran, K.E. (2017). Attitudes, beliefs and knowledge about breast cancer among female students in Faculty of Health-Care Sciences, Eastern University, Sri Lanka. Abstract presentation. 3rd Ruhuna University International Conference on Humanities and Social Sciences - 2017. University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka.
7. Karthijekan, K., & Karunakaran K.E. (2017). Knowledge on carcinoma of breast and practice of self-breast examination among female University students in Faculty of Health-Care Sciences, Eastern University, Sri Lanka. Abstract presentation. Scientific session – 2017, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka.
8. Karthijekan, K., Genoosa, N., Sundaresan, K.T., Kisokanth, G., & Josepha, J. (2017). Weight pattern and physical exercise among hypertensive patients attending medical clinics Teaching Hospital, Batticaloa. Abstract presentation. Scientific session – 2017, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka.
9. Wafeetha Begam, A.G., Karthijekan, K., Kartheepan, K., Genoosha, N., Mythreye, T., Kajananthan, K., Uresiya Costha, L.A.M., Hasanthika, M.A.W., & Iresha Priyadarshani N.W.P. (2017). Knowledge regarding childhood diarrhoea and its management among mothers having children under the age of five years in Batticaloa district. Full paper presentation, Annual Research Session of Eastern University, Sri Lanka.
10. Karthijekan, K., Ranil, J., Arulpragasam, A.N., & Arulnithy, K. (2018). Body weight perception and weight loss practices among a group of Sri Lankan university students. Abstract presentation. Annual Scientific sessions – 2018, The Nutrition Society of Sri Lanka.
11. Karthijekan, K., Arulpragasam, A.N., Sujendran, S., & Arulnithy, K. (2018). Nutritional status and body weight satisfaction among a group of Sri Lankan university students. Abstract presentation. International Nursing Congress – 2018, Department of Nursing, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.

Articles in Magazine and Newsletter

1. Men’s forty is not confused, published as medical article in 2019 at Hong Kong Economic Journal.
2. Hypertension and its management - (அமைதியான ஆட்கொல்லி - Silent Killer), published as medical article in 2016 at Battinews.Com -Tamil Daily News Website.
3. Men at forty: Beating “male menopause” by being active, published in “Voice of East” magazine, volume-2 (ISSN: 2950-6786) by Teachers’ Association of Eastern University (TAEU). 

• Cardiovascular health
• critical care 
• Behavioral modification
• Metabolic syndrome 
• Mental health 
• Instrument validation
• Geriatrics

Undergraduate – MBBS and BSc. Hons (Nursing)

BSc Nursing (internal and external) Students

• Research Methodology
• Critical Care Nursing
• Adult Health Nursing
• Geriatric Nursing

Visiting Lecturer/Resource person for workshops

• Visiting lecturer for BSc Nursing (Hons) external degree programme at Faculty of Health-Care Sciences, Eastern University, Sri Lanka – up to date

1. Best research (oral) presenter (2018) - International course on Nutrition Research Methods” at St. John’s Research Institute, St. John’s National Academy of Health Sciences, Bangalore, India collaborated with School of Public Health, Harvard University, USA and School of Medicine, Tufts University, USA.
2. Received scholarship to participate the International course on Nutrition Research Methods” at St. John’s Research Institute, St. John’s National Academy of Health Sciences, Bangalore, India in 2018 (3 weeks).
3. Received travel award to participate the ‘PhD Summer Workshop’ (2 weeks) at Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong in 2018.

Grants

1.  2017 - Eastern University, Sri Lanka research grant for assessing mental health of the children in children’s homes in Batticaloa district, Sri Lanka.
2. 2016 - Eastern University, Sri Lanka research grant for assessing knowledge, attitude and practice of female students regarding breast cancer in Eastern University, Sri Lanka.

At the University

1. Member of convocation committee, Eastern University, Sri Lanka from 2023 to 2025. 
2. Secretary for the International Conference on Emerging Trends in Health-Care Sciences jointly organized by Faculty of Health-Care Sciences (FHCS), Eastern University, Sri Lanka (EUSL) and Arunai International Research Foundation, India in 2023. 
3. Faculty board member at FHCS, EUSL from 2022 to present.
4. Member of Hand book upgrade and Website Launching Committee, FHCS, EUSL.
5. Academic Sub-Warden (Part-Time), Men’s Hostel, FHCS, EUSL for Academic year 2014/2015, 2015/2016 and 2016/2017. 
6. Member of Gender Equity and Equality Cell, FHCS, EUSL (GEE Cell-FHCS).
7. Student Counsellor, FHCS, EUSL from 2018-2019. 
8. Member of Information Technology Cell, FHCS, EUSL-present. 
9. Mentor for undergraguate students, FHCS, EUSL.
10. Coordinator, Hall arrangement committee, Annual Research sessions-2017, EUSL.
11. Member of faculty board as a probationary lecturers’ representative, FHCS, EUSL from 2017 to 2019. 
12. Member of technical evaluation committee, FHCS, EUSL.
13. Member of career guidance cell, FHCS, EUSL.

Professional Membership

1. Registered Nurse at Sri Lankan Nursing Council. 
2. Life member of Nutrition Society of Sri Lanka.  
3. Member of Teachers’ Association of Eastern University (TAEU), Sri Lanka.
4. Professional member of European Society of Cardiology. 
5. Full member of Graduate Nurses Foundation of Sri Lanka.