Popularising Twin Research

Popularising Twin Popularising Twin ResearchResearch

Sisira Siribaddana MD

[email protected]

Background

Establishment of a National Twin Register in Sri Lanka. Establishment of a National Twin Register in Sri Lanka. Twin ResearchTwin Research 2000; 3: 202-202. 2000; 3: 202-202.

Cross cultural adaptation and preliminary validation of a Cross cultural adaptation and preliminary validation of a zygosity determination questionnaire for Sri Lanka. zygosity determination questionnaire for Sri Lanka. Twin Twin ResearchResearch 2000; 2000; 33: 205-212. : 205-212.

Feasibility of using different approaches for recruiting Feasibility of using different approaches for recruiting younger twins for Sri Lankan Twin Registry younger twins for Sri Lankan Twin Registry Twin ResearchTwin Research 2001; 2001; 44:459-463:459-463

Sri Lankan Twin Registry. Sri Lankan Twin Registry. Twin Research Twin Research 2002; 2002; 55: 424-426 : 424-426

Challenges in recruiting older twins for the Sri Lankan Challenges in recruiting older twins for the Sri Lankan Twin Registry Twin Registry Twin Research Twin Research 2003; 2003; 66:67-71:67-71

Walking the talk International collaboration International collaboration

between Kings college,between Kings college, department of psychological medicine, department of psychological medicine, Social genetic and developmental Social genetic and developmental

psychiatry research centre,psychiatry research centre, WHO & WHO & SLTRSLTR

Capacity building in SouthCapacity building in South ethical approval –WHO, IOP ethical approval –WHO, IOP

(UK), SJU (SL)(UK), SJU (SL) Collaboration from the Ministry Collaboration from the Ministry

of Health, Epidemiology unitof Health, Epidemiology unit Unprecedented discussion with Unprecedented discussion with

various academic bodiesvarious academic bodies

School curriculum change 1997 A Level is a very competitive exam for university A Level is a very competitive exam for university

entranceentrance Projects were introduced, not marked but Projects were introduced, not marked but

essential for admissionsessential for admissions Criticisms-no teacher training no guidanceCriticisms-no teacher training no guidance We have helped 52 students, teacher student We have helped 52 students, teacher student

WSWS Platform to published them with a expert Platform to published them with a expert

comment (“Explorer” magazine)comment (“Explorer” magazine) Series of how to do itSeries of how to do it Sri Lankan Twin RegistrySri Lankan Twin Registry

Twin Projects

Sri Lankan Twin RegistrySri Lankan Twin Registry

Gaveshana (Explorer) 11th issue


Kirinda Multiple Birth Society

Sri Lankan Twin Registry

Anguruwathota Multiple Birth Society


Kegalle Multiple Birth Society


Udunuwara Multiple Birth Society


Locations of

Multiple Birth

Societies


Helping Needy twins


Published Brochures


Twin Newsletter


Photos Submitted by Registered Twins/ Triplets


Hidden Agenda-Increasing Recruitment

Colombo Twin & Singleton Survey (COTASS) recruited only Colombo Twin & Singleton Survey (COTASS) recruited only adult twinsadult twins

(BMC Psychiatry 2008, 8:49Twin Research & Human Genetics 2006 868-874Twin Research & Human Genetics 2006 868-874) In Colombo district 400 000 forms distributed 340 000 In Colombo district 400 000 forms distributed 340 000

collected using government administration structure to collected using government administration structure to develop population based twin registry, 19332 twins, 4000 develop population based twin registry, 19332 twins, 4000 randomly selected with 2000 singletonsrandomly selected with 2000 singletons

Island wide volunteer registry 13626 multiples Island wide volunteer registry 13626 multiples

http://www.irdsrilanka.org/ird/AboutIRD.htm Sri Lankan Twin RegistrySri Lankan Twin Registry

Glimpse into the Future-Using Art & Culture as an Inducement to Participate

in Research Multiples engage in research through culture (MERC)Multiples engage in research through culture (MERC) Idea came from Twin Cultural Society - separate organisation but non Idea came from Twin Cultural Society - separate organisation but non

existent nowexistent now

Unanswered questions Is this form of recruitment ethically acceptableIs this form of recruitment ethically acceptable Excess of younger twins, same sex twins, identical twinsExcess of younger twins, same sex twins, identical twins More expensive-token compensation more cheaper?More expensive-token compensation more cheaper? WT funded but after funding is approved £ crashed relative to the SL RupeeWT funded but after funding is approved £ crashed relative to the SL Rupee

http://www.infolanka.com/org/twin-registry/ Sri Lankan Twin RegistrySri Lankan Twin Registry

News & Politics

Popularising Twin Research