Educational Level Among Patients Treated at the Primary Medical Care Unit, Dedunupitiya: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

This study assessed educational attainment among adult patients attending the Primary Medical Care Unit (PMCU), Dedunupitiya, Sri Lanka, and compared the findings with those from a war-affected rural setting. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in October 2025 among the first 100 consenting adult patients. Data on sociodemographic characteristics and education level were collected and analysed using descriptive statistics in SPSS version 27. The mean age of the participants was 51.65 years (range 19–87), and 70% were female. The majority were Sinhalese (96%), and 89% were married. The literacy rate was 100%. Regarding educational attainment, 29% had primary education, 40% had completed Ordinary Level, 24% had completed Advanced Level, 2% had a diploma, and 5% had a degree, while none had postgraduate education. Comparison with published findings from Kabithigollawa, a conflictaffected rural area, indicated lower educational attainment in that setting. The results suggest that Dedunupitiya, a relatively peaceful rural community, has comparatively higher educational attainment. This finding highlights the potential influence of long-term social stability on educational outcomes and aligns with global priorities on education and health equity. The study emphasizes the importance of tailoring health education materials according to patient literacy levels to improve the effectiveness of non-communicable disease prevention programs in rural primary care settings and to support sustainable community health development in Sri Lanka.