ABSTRACT
Background: Sexual Violence is one of the most common crimes across the globe changing the religious as well as cultural values. The incidence of sexual assault is increasing in the community and gained considerable importance being the important public health problem all over the world
Objectives: To study the socio-demographic profile and medico-legal consequences in the victims of alleged sexual assault brought for medicolegal certification at District Headquarter [Teaching] Hospital Sahiwal, Pakistan
Setting and Duration: Retrospective study was conducted in medicolegal clinic of DHQ Teaching Hospital, Sahiwal during the period from 1[st] January, 2016 to 31 December, 2016
Material and Methods: 125 cases of alleged sexual assault reported in medicolegal clinic of DHQ Hospital Sahiwal, during the calendar year 2016. The socio-demographic characteristics were studied in detail i.e. age, marital status, residential background. Associated physical injuries as well as perineal injuries observed on the body of victims were also considered. Results of the biological specimens / evidentiary material sent to the Punjab Forensic Science Agency [PFSA] were recorded on a Performa
Results: The incidence of sexual assault was higher 79[63.20 percent] in rural inhabitants as compared to 46[36.80 percent] in urban citizens. The most vulnerable age group was 11-20 years involving 57[45.60 percent] cases followed by those belonging to 3[rd] decade of life involving 37[29.60 percent] victims. Of the total 125 cases of alleged sexual assault, 74[59.20 percent] were married and 51[40.80 percent] unmarried. As regard injuries to the perineal areas; hymen was observed to have fresh injuries to the vulva and vagina in 7[5.60 percent] cases whereas old / healed tears of perineal area were found in remaining 118[94.40 percent] victims and there was no Virgo intact among all the cases of alleged sexual assault
Conclusion: The victims with age group of 11-20 years were the most commonly affected by sexual violence in Sahiwal and majority of them belonged to the rural areas. Rape and sexual assault are under-reported crimes in order to avoid the social stigma. A combined effort by law enforcing agencies, civil society and electronic / print media should be initiated to eliminate the ferocity of sexual crimes from community
ABSTRACT
Background: Acute poisoning is a significant health problem being the leading cause of morbidity and mortality all over the world. Poisoning due to ingestion of Aluminum Phosphide and Organophosphates is considered among the commonest poisons leading to fatal consequences
Objective: To study the clinical profile and outcome of the patients with [Wheat Pills] Aluminum Phosphide [ALP] poisoning brought to the District Head Quarter [DHQ] Teaching Hospital, Sahiwal
Setting and Duration: The study was carried out in DHQ Hospital Sahiwal [a tertiary care health institution attached with Sahiwal Medical College, Sahiwal, Pakistan] for the period of one year i.e. 1[st] January, 2017 to 31[st] December, 2017
Methodology: The patients above 12 years of either gender brought to the DHQ Hospital Sahiwal, with history of ingestion of [wheat pills] Aluminum phosphide; were included in study by non-probability convenient sampling. The data retrieved from the hospital record / treatment charts of the patients admitted in Accident and Emergency / Medical Units. Prior permission from the controlling authorities was also taken. The data entered in predesigned proforma for further analysis
Results: Of the total one hundred and ten patients; 94[85.45 percent] belonged to the younger age group 12-30 years while 65[59.1 percent] cases of Aluminium Phosphide poisoning were females and 45[40.9 percent] males. Similarly, females represented 30[27.27 percent] poisoning cases compared to males 16[14.54 percent] in the age stratum 12-20 years. Majority 48[43.63 percent] cases were between the age group of 21-30 years. The intake of Aluminium Phosphide with suicidal intent was found in 82[79.6 percent] cases. The frequent clinical features were Shock / Tachycardia observed in 32[29.1 percent] cases whereas 62[56.36 percent] patients couldn't survive in spite of extensive resuscitation
Conclusion: Aluminium Phosphide is frequently used poison with suicidal intent especially in the younger population. Shock / Tachycardia were the most frequent clinical presentation of the patients. Mortality rate was higher in Aluminium Phosphide poisoning in spite of resuscitative measures. No antidote is available so far whereas role of magnesium sulphate and coconut oil are controversial
Recommendations: Situation could be improved by reducing the occupational exposure, resolving the conflicts leading to self-poisoning and adequate training of the medical / paramedical staff in poisoning management at the primary, secondary and tertiary care hospitals. Proper legislation is to be done for strict control on the sale of aluminium phosphide. Further research is required to find out the effective antidote in order to reduce the mortality because of aluminium phosphide poisonin