Compare Knowledge, Attitudes about torture and Experience in handling of torture victims between medical practitioners and undergraduates of selected institutes in Gampaha District

Abstract

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Torture is one of the most extreme forms of violence, which adversely affects the health of individuals and community at large. To determine and compare the knowledge, describe attitudes and experiences on torture among medical practitioners and undergraduates of selected institutes in Gampaha District. METHODS: A cross sectional analytical study was done at CNTH, DGH Negombo, DGH Gampaha and Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya. 160 medical practitioners and 160 undergraduates were studied. RESULTS: Overall knowledge of 61.8% practitioners and of 49.7% undergraduates was above median. Total mean (SD) scores were 64.9,, % (15.9), 61.3% (15.7), but the difference was not significant (p=0.065). Undergraduates had significantly low score on key knowledge (p=0.004) and main types {p=0.003). None of the socio-demographic factors were not associated (p>0.05) except foreign medical graduates (X2 =4.354;df=l; p=0.037) and male practitioners ( X2 = 4.36; df=l; p=0.037 } with median or above overall knowledge. Majority accepted torture is widespread (62.6% vs. 68.6%} and health is being adversely effected, but in case scenarios third to more than half responded that torture can be permissible. Lack of experience in most aspects of exposure, training, examination, treatment and rehabilitation regard to torture medicine were found in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Gaps in knowledge & experience in torture medicine should be corrected at each level, wider approach at community level needed to correct attitudes