Frequency and Pattern of Medico-Loegal Cases and Gender Disparity in Peshawar

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency and pattern of medico-legal cases and gender disparity in Peshawar. Materials and Method: It was a cross-sectional study. The study was conducted in the Forensic Medicine department Khyber Medical College (KMC), Peshawar. The data was collected over a period of 06 months (Sept 2018- Feb 2019). Data was obtained from the record room of Medico-legal clinic after obtaining consent from the institutional and departmental head. Non medicolegal cases, old injury cases, hospital acquired artifects were excluded. For data analysis SPSS 20 was used. Data was collected in terms of age, sex, and diagnosis mentioned in the records. Results: Total cases were 1095, of which 869 (79.4%) were males and 225 (20.6%) were females. The maximum number of medico-legal cases were from the age group of 21-30 years i.e., 385 (35.2%). 670 (61.27%) were residents of urban area. Most of the medico-legal cases registered were due to assault 297 (27.2%) followed by medical examination of prisoners 283(25.9%), road traffic accidents 215 (19.7%), fall from height 75 (6.9%), Suicidal poisoning 62 (6.5%), domestic injuries 72 (6.5%), burn 24 (2.2%), unknown found at bus station 24(2.2%), child abuse (1.3%) & female sexual assault 12 (1.1%). Conclusion: Majority of the victims were males, young adults and urban inhabitants. Most common indication for medico-legal cases was assault followed by medical check-up of prisoners and road traffic accidents.