Original Research Article
Year: 2023 | Month: August | Volume: 13 | Issue: 8 | Pages: 220-225
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20230830
Pattern of Injuries in Physically Assaulted Victims in Mid Southern Region of Nepal
Sanjay Kumar Sah1, Chandani Pandey2, Shyam Babu Prasad3, Anand Kumar Chaurasiya4
1Associate Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine, National Medical College, Birgunj-15, Parsa, Nepal
2MBBS, National Medical College, Tribhuvan University, Birgunj-15, Parsa, Nepal
3Lecturer, Department of Forensic Medicine, National Medical College, Birgunj-15, Parsa, Nepal
4Associate Professor, Department of Pathology, National Medical College, Birgunj-15, Parsa, Nepal
Corresponding Author: Sanjay Kumar Sah
ABSTRACT
Background: Among injuries by various ways physical assault contributes significantly. Further in underdeveloped countries like Nepal many such cases end to fatality. So this study aims to find the pattern of injuries present in physical assault cases presented to a tertiary care centre of mid southern region of Nepal.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 210 cases selected among physically assaulted victims coming to emergency department of National medical college and teaching hospital, Birgunj from February 2022 to February 2023 over a period of a year. Ethical approval was obtained from Institutional Review Committee (IRC) of the same institute (Ref: F-NMC/583/078-079). Informed consent was taken from victims or from their guardians. Data was collected through examination and using preformed proforma consisting of socio-demographic profile as well as medicolegal examination. Data was collected using preformed proforma and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 2023.
Results: Out of 210 cases of physical assaults, most of the victims were assaulted by Blunt weapon (60.5%) i.e., bamboo sticks, wooden stick, rod, helmet followed by Kicks and fist (31.0%), sharp object (6.2%) and pointed (2.4%). In most of the cases weapons were heavy (52.9%). Most of the assaulted victims had simple injury (85.7%) followed by grievous injury (11.4%) and life threatening (2.9%). Abrasion (64.3%) was most common type of injury.
Conclusion: Physical assault commonly caused by blunt weapons and head is usual target. Unemployment and alcohol intoxication are major factors contributing to interpersonal violence in mid southern region of Nepal.
Key words: Physical assault, violence, grievous, examination.