Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Ragging is a one of the important problem facing the higher education
system of most countries. It is hard to eliminate unless implementation of effective
interventions which are planned according to the available local data. Although most of the
higher educational institutes in Sri Lanka have eliminated ragging with the aid of available
data, no studies have been conducted up to now amongst students of Eastern University, Sri
Lanka.AIMS: Our aim is to assess the proportion of ragged students, negative out comes and
perception on ragging and knowledge about anti- ragging act of Sri Lanka among first year
students of Eastern University, Sri Lanka.METHODS: A cross sectional descriptive study was conducted over twelve months among
the first year students who belong to 2017/2018 academic year of selected faculties of Eastern
University Sri Lanka. Our sample size was 371 and a pre designed questionnaire which
assessed negative outcomes and perception on ragging and the knowledge on anti-ragging act
of Sri Lanka amongst students was the tool of our data collection.RESULTS: Total of 371 participants was recruited for this study. Around 76.3% of students
were experienced at least one form of ragging during their first year of university life. There
was a significant portion of students (84.4%) had an awareness about anti-ragging act of Sri
Lanka. Almost all who were ragged have experienced one or more forms of negative
outcomes (100%). Among ragged students vast majority of students (84.1%) had negative
perception towards ragging. CONCLUSIONS: Majority of the students experienced at least one form of ragging with negative outcomes though they had awareness on legal act. Appropriate strategies for the prevention and elimination of ragging among Eastern University students should be developed.
