Journal/Magazine Articles

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This collection contains original research articles, review articles and case reports published in local and international peer reviewed journals by the staff members of the Faculty of Medicine

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Author: search.filters.author.Kitulwatte, I.Has files: Yes

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    Comparative analysis of the pattern of intimate partner violence against women admitted to a tertiary hospital in Sri Lanka during and after the periods of COVID-19 lockdown
    (Humana Press, 2024) Kitulwatte, I.; Gangahawatte, S.; Thanushan, M.; Thivaharan, Y.; Edirisinghe, A.; Dissanayke, C.; Jayathilaka, R.; Wijayarathne, P.
    Lockdown measures during the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in restrictions on people's ability to move, allowing more time for intimate partners-this increased opportunities for intimate partner violence (IPV), especially against women. The study aimed to evaluate the characteristics of IPV against women during and after the lockdown period. A prospective, descriptive study on female victims of IPV presented from March 2020 to February 2022 to a leading teaching hospital in Sri Lanka. Out of the 876 patients admitted during the period, details could be obtained from 300 victims. Ninety-four (31%) were during the lockdown, while 206 (69%) were post-lockdown admissions. The mean age of the victim in both groups was 33.5 years. Even though physical abuse was high throughout, the prevalence of sexual abuse was significantly higher (p < 0.0001) during the lockdown period (31.9%) than during the post-lockdown period (3.4%). Financial problems (46.6%), followed by substance abuse (35%), were the most common risk factors during the post-lockdown period, while morbid jealousy (34%) was the most common risk factor, followed by extramarital relationships (33%) during the lockdown. Psychological consequences due to IPV were observed in 76.5% of victims during the lockdown period and only 11.2% during the post-lockdown period. The prolonged lockdown has significantly influenced mental and sexual health, changing the pattern of IPV against women. The need to have services to ensure the mental and sexual well-being of the community was highlighted.
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    A Study on the knowledge and attitudes on examination of patients for drunkenness among doctors involved in such examinations
    (College of Forensic Pathologists of Sri Lanka, 2022) Appuhamy, H.D.S.C.P.; Kitulwatte, I.; Vaasuthevaa, K.; Shanker, K.; Senarathna, U.; Gangahawatte, S.D.S.
    Introduction: Driving after consumption of alcohol is an offence in Sri Lanka according to the Motor Traffic Act. When a police officer suspects that the driver of a motor vehicle on the highway has consumed alcohol, he may request such person to submit himself immediately to a breath test for alcohol or to an examination by a government medical officer. Hence, the knowledge and attitude of doctors who perform examinations for drunkenness play a crucial role in the administration of justice. The objectives were to study knowledge and attitudes on examination of patients for drunkenness among doctors with different levels of expertise/experience who are engaging in such examinations. Study design: A cross-sectional descriptive study was performed using an interviewer-administered questionnaire, on doctors who engage in an examination of people for drunkenness. The knowledge was assessed by 8 comprehensive questions on the procedures and subjects scoring ≥75% were considered as having ‘satisfactory’ knowledge on the matter. Results: Out of the 306 doctors who participated in the study, 80% (n=246) were ordinary medical officers while there were 9.5% (n= 29) postgraduate trainees in Forensic Medicine and 10% (n = 30) specialists. One-third 34% (n=105) believed that their knowledge on examination procedures is poor. The procedure to be followed in the finger nose test was correctly identified by a majority 95% (n= 290) while only 35% (n= 107) were aware of the procedure to be followed in the one-leg stand test. Conclusions: According to this study, ordinary medical officers who perform a majority of medico-legal examinations for drunkenness in Sri Lanka were found to have poor knowledge on examination procedures. This can adversely affect the results of the tests in the examination of drunk and hence can lead to wrongful convictions. Thus, it is high time to fill the gaps in their knowledge through special professional training programs and by introducing a guideline.