{"title":"Out of pocket expenditure on cancer patients at a tertiary care hospital of Lucknow","authors":"R. Verma, N. Akhtar, V. Singh, N. Ahmad","doi":"10.18231/j.ijfcm.2023.011","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18231/j.ijfcm.2023.011","url":null,"abstract":"The increasing cost of cancer diagnosis and its management has led to a huge financial burden and noticed to be one of the major contributors to poverty. Out-of-pocket expenses (OOPE) significantly impact patients households work as well as experience to cancer treatment. Understanding its nature of burden will guide us in formulation of plans to avoid financial distress among the cancer patients.A tertiary care hospital based cross-sectional observational and analytical study was conducted on 120 cancer patients attending surgical OPD at King Georges Medical University, Lucknow, from July 2020 to November 2021. Sociodemographic and economic variables, costs incurred under various headings and expenditure details of the subjects were obtained by pre-designed, pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire. Direct medical and direct non-medical costs were calculated, and its total was used as the OOPE. Appropriate statistical tests were applied wherever applicable.Overall mean out-of-pocket expenditure by study participants was Rs 79925.5 (51776-121651). The expense on direct medical expenditure was Rs 45151(30051, 90051) and indirect non-medical expenditure was Rs 10000(5000,14000). We found significantly higher OOPE in subjects residing more than 100 km away from Lucknow (P = 0.017), with gall bladder cancer (P = 0.001), who were diagnosed with cancer while screening (P =0.034), who were diagnosed at Private clinic/hospital (P = < 0.001) and delayed treatment (P = 0.023). Cancer patients experience significant OOPE following their diagnosis. Its impact on patient wellbeing with their treatment decisions need to be further studied.","PeriodicalId":13276,"journal":{"name":"Indian journal of forensic and community medicine","volume":"11 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-07-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"81959707","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Internet addiction among students of selected schools of South Delhi","authors":"Shiri Khan, Y. Alvi, F. Ahmed, F. Islam","doi":"10.18231/j.ijfcm.2023.012","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18231/j.ijfcm.2023.012","url":null,"abstract":"In the time of lockdown and home confinement, internet use is expected to rise. Recognizing this, we did this study to find the prevalence of internet addiction in school-going adolescents from South Delhi. Employing systematic random sampling, we selected 509 students, who had used/been using the internet in the last 30 days. Data collection was done using a self-administered questionnaire assessing internet addiction utilized Young’s Internet Addiction Test (IAT). The study observed prevalence of 51.3%, which was significantly associated with students in high school, parents’ education, upper socioeconomic class, and access to an internet at home. Additionally, we observed that students primarily used the internet for nonessential purposes (movies, online shopping, social networking, online games, chatting, cyber- sex/pornography) rather than for academic purposes. The increasing trend of internet use, that too for entertainment, may be attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic and can lead to a significant problem.","PeriodicalId":13276,"journal":{"name":"Indian journal of forensic and community medicine","volume":"1999 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-07-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"88261278","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Identification of diatoms from different rivers in Chhattisgarh","authors":"Ankita Tandon, Sushma Dubey, S. Pal","doi":"10.18231/j.ijfcm.2023.014","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18231/j.ijfcm.2023.014","url":null,"abstract":"Diatoms are unique microalgae found in almost all water bodies. They are the only single-celled organisms with a siliceous cell wall or frustules and are ubiquitous in water bodies. Their presence and diversity make them valuable in forensic investigations, particularly in cases of drowning. Diatoms can serve as trace evidence by linking suspects to crime scene. The diversity of diatom species varies across different areas influenced by environmental factors and seasonal variations. Extensive research has been conducted on diatoms in various states of India, but the diversity of diatoms was not studied in the major rivers of the Chhattisgarh region. In this study, we aimed to address this gap by conducting a taxonomic analysis of diatoms and adding them to a new database. Samples were collected from different rivers in Chhattisgarh resulting in the identification of 34 diatom species. This study contributes to understanding diatom diversity in the region and enhances the forensic potential of diatoms in future investigations.","PeriodicalId":13276,"journal":{"name":"Indian journal of forensic and community medicine","volume":"60 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-07-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"88945680","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sathiabalan M, Deepthi R, Anil N S, Narayanaswamy D M, Balakrishnan R, Ashwani Lonimath
{"title":"Recommended dietary allowances, ICMR 2020 guidelines: A practical guide for bedside and community dietary assessment – A review","authors":"Sathiabalan M, Deepthi R, Anil N S, Narayanaswamy D M, Balakrishnan R, Ashwani Lonimath","doi":"10.18231/j.ijfcm.2023.002","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18231/j.ijfcm.2023.002","url":null,"abstract":"Assessment of diet bedside and in the community is crucial for the management and prevention of various ailments. Recommended dietary allowances and nutritional requirements of humans is a growing science that keeps changing, hence medical fraternity needs to be updated. ICMR-NIN are the nodal agencies in India for refining and reformulating dietary needs as per the nutritional transition occurring globally. They have published Nutrient Requirements for Indians: Recommended Dietary Allowances and Estimated Average Requirements - A Report of the Expert Group 2020, consisting of vital changes which are developed to satisfy the needs of the healthy population, keeping in view the reduction of disease risk and maintaining optimal health of the population. Most textbooks of community medicine have not yet adopted the newer recommendations and it is crucial that current students follow the paradigm shift which has happened in nutritional needs. The twenty-four-hour (24 hr) semi-quantitative dietary recall method is the preferred dietary assessment method at the bedside and community due to its less administration time and usability even on illiterates. It is considered the best method when there is no patience or motivation to answer food-related questions. Here is an attempt to compile and simplify all required information for dietary assessment from reliable sources in one place which empowers healthcare professionals to perform a dietary assessment.","PeriodicalId":13276,"journal":{"name":"Indian journal of forensic and community medicine","volume":"5 4 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"77432156","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sukruthi Vengala, Rajesh Kumar K, Poojitha Pimpley, P. Sekhar, Suryachandrika M, Deepika M
{"title":"A study on comparison of lip prints and finger prints based on gender and its reliability in forensic odontology: A cross-sectional study","authors":"Sukruthi Vengala, Rajesh Kumar K, Poojitha Pimpley, P. Sekhar, Suryachandrika M, Deepika M","doi":"10.18231/j.ijfcm.2023.005","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18231/j.ijfcm.2023.005","url":null,"abstract":"In an individual, fingerprints and lip prints are one of the vital parts in identifying the person in both civil and criminal cases because of their uniqueness. The aim of the study is to identify if any correlation between lip prints and finger and also based on gender wise.The present study was carried to determine the distribution of different patterns of both finger and lip prints. The study comprised of about 200 subjects, aged between 17 to 24 years. Impressions were collected using lip prints and ink stamp pad and pasted on filter paper and cellophane tape. Chi square test was used to find out any relation between lip prints and finger prints.","PeriodicalId":13276,"journal":{"name":"Indian journal of forensic and community medicine","volume":"75 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"84702392","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Overview of web-based public health surveillance system in Uttarakhand: Integrated health information platform under integrated disease surveillance programme","authors":"P. Singh, A. Tripathi, Amrita Gupta, S. Yadav","doi":"10.18231/j.ijfcm.2023.001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18231/j.ijfcm.2023.001","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":13276,"journal":{"name":"Indian journal of forensic and community medicine","volume":"73 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"77713077","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Impact of biological evidences on DNA profiling of sexual assault cases","authors":"S. Pal, V. Kumari, N. Devi","doi":"10.18231/j.ijfcm.2023.003","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18231/j.ijfcm.2023.003","url":null,"abstract":"The identification of perpetrator involved in crime becomes difficult due to lack of evidence. Biological evidence plays an integral role in establishing link between survivor, suspect, and the scene of crime. The era of eye witness is almost diminished and DNA analysis is necessary for the identification of perpetrator. The loss or degradation of biological traces due to urinating, defecating, douching of genitals, showering and delay in medico-legal examination may yield negative results. The objective of study was to link DNA profiles generated from biological samples to associate suspect with survivor and other parameters affecting the results of DNA profiling. This present study was conducted in the Biology & Serology Division of Regional Forensic Science Laboratory, Northern Range, Dharamshala and DNA Division of State Forensic Science Laboratory, Himachal Pradesh, Junga, India. A total of 142 sexual assault cases received for examination during the year 2018 and 2019 were studied. Human spermatozoa were detected in 39 (27.46%) cases and genetic profiles were generated. Spermatozoa were detected even after taking bath and washing of clothes in 3 (2.11%) cases. 10 (7.04%) survivors were menstruating at the time of assault. Hymen was absent in 43 (30.28%) cases followed by old healed tags in 37 (26.06%), recent tears in 15 (10.56%), intact in 9 (6.34%) and partially ruptured in 4 (2.82%) cases. Out of 39 cases, DNA profile resulted as an inclusion of assailant in 27 (19.01%) cases and exclusion in 12 (8.45%) cases. The persistence of spermatozoa on vaginal swabs was found up to 4 days. Only 18 (12.68%) survivors underwent medico-legal examination on first day of assault. The findings clearly showed that early medico-legal examination is of paramount importance to avoid the potential loss of evidence, which directly affects the results of DNA profiling.","PeriodicalId":13276,"journal":{"name":"Indian journal of forensic and community medicine","volume":"24 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"81969030","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Teaching and assessing communication skills as an element of early clinical exposure (ECE) in first year medical students","authors":"M. Nagpal, S. Kukreja, S. Chawla","doi":"10.18231/j.ijfcm.2023.006","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18231/j.ijfcm.2023.006","url":null,"abstract":": Effective communication skills are essential to improve the doctor-patient relationship and are associated with favourable health outcomes. So, to introduce a training program of communications skills as an element of early clinical exposure in the first founding years of MBBS will help them as to deliver their professional duties as future physicians to the fullest extent. All the 1 year M.B.B.S. students (n=122) were sensitized about the verbal and non-verbal aspects of communication skills followed by their visit to RHTC (Rural health and training centre) where they used their communication skills to create awareness about personal hygiene among the community. Faculty members observed the communication skills and assessed the students by using Kalamazoo Essential Elements Communication Checklist. A Focus Group discussion (FGD) of the faculty regarding their opinion was conducted to take faculty’s feedback and valid conclusions drawn using a five-point Likert scale. The mean age of the participants was 20 ± 1.1 years. 81.1% of the students acquired good to average communication skills based on Kalamazoo essential elements communication checklist within the community. Regarding students’ experience in the community, 93.4% replied that the experience was good, 54.1% faced no difficulty, 24.6% said that they gained confidence and 55.7% replied that they learnt to communicate effectively. Most of the faculty thought that learning communication skills is necessary for improving the doctor-patient relationship. To introduce training for effective communication skills as an element of ECE in the very first year of MBBS will improve the role of students as future physicians. But this needs pre-sensitization of students as well as faculty and more resources including manpower and time.","PeriodicalId":13276,"journal":{"name":"Indian journal of forensic and community medicine","volume":"31 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"90090634","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A meticulous autopsy halts erroneous justice – Case report","authors":"S. Ramalingam, Veeravijayan A, Narayanan S","doi":"10.18231/j.ijfcm.2023.009","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18231/j.ijfcm.2023.009","url":null,"abstract":"The relationship between the trauma and the disease poses a biggest problem in interpretation, when a person who was either previously diseased dies after a trauma or who developed disease after sustaining injury. The importance of an autopsy in establishing the actual cause of death is most important in natural deaths, but it is even more important in the event of unnatural deaths. Here, we present a case report where the investigating agency booked the case under IPC S.304A and later the cause of death in the case is found to be a natural and the section was altered to IPC S.174.","PeriodicalId":13276,"journal":{"name":"Indian journal of forensic and community medicine","volume":"57 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"88263850","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
M. I. Sheikh, D. Ramavataram, Priti Pandey, Khushnood M. Sheikh
{"title":"Determination of postmortem interval and cause of death: Do the levels of biochemical parameters in vitreous humor provide an additional assistance to medico legal expert?","authors":"M. I. Sheikh, D. Ramavataram, Priti Pandey, Khushnood M. Sheikh","doi":"10.18231/j.ijfcm.2023.007","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18231/j.ijfcm.2023.007","url":null,"abstract":"An upward rise has been observed in the pattern of unnatural deaths in the recent years and the same has been found during the post mortem examination. During the trial in the court of law prosecution as well as defense require the time passed death before examination and the cause of death in particular circumstances, as it is mandatory to fix the exact duration either to punish the guilty or NOT to punish the innocent. Vitreous humor is different from other body fluids as it has relative stability in its composition so as also biochemical parameters. It was further hypothesized that postmortem vitreous humor biochemistry closely mimics antemortem serum biochemistry and may be a useful aid in establishing postmortem diagnoses. Various studies have been carried out on vitreous electrolyte concentration changes to arrive at postmortem interval. Many workers found the importance of potassium in the determination of postmortem interval, whereas among all the biochemical parameters, vitreous potassium is found to be more useful to find out time since death. Postmortem biochemical analysis of vitreous humor may be helpful in the establishment of antemortem disease or metabolic disorder. The present study was carried out jointly in department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology and department of Biochemistry of Surat Municipal Institute of Medical Education & Research (SMIMER), Surat. A total of 100 subjects were taken up for this study. The samples were collected from dead bodies during postmortem examination with all aseptic precautions. A detailed performa was made with all the details of age, sex, length, weight and date and time of admission, date and time of death and manner of death such as suicide, homicide, sudden death and accidents was recorded. Cases below 15 years of age were not considered in this study. Out of 100 cases there were 24 (24%) females and 76 (76%) were males, out of these 56% were between 15-35 years, 32% were of 36-55 years, 9% were of 56-65 years, and 3% were of 66-77 years age group. According to the manner of death 50 subjects were of accident, 26 subjects were of sudden death, 21 subjects were of suicide and 3 subjects were of homicide. According to time interval between sample collection and time of death, 47 subjects were of 0-24 hours, 36 subjects were of 24-48 hours, 11 subjects were of 48-72 hours and 6 subjects were of 72-96 hours. In present study we observed that there is definitive correlation between time of death and changes in level of these biochemical parameters. This was a preliminary study in this region and can be considered as a pilot study. The levels of vitreous Potassium have been found to be significantly altered as the time progresses after death. A progressive decrease in sodium/potassium and increase in potassium/ calcium ratios was also observed.","PeriodicalId":13276,"journal":{"name":"Indian journal of forensic and community medicine","volume":"40 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"89352068","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}