Dowry and domestic violence against Women-Knowledge and awareness among medical students

Dowry and domestic violence against women is still much common in country like India even though various steps have been taken by Government time to time. Above issues must be abolished by bringing awareness among citizens and as a doctor one must aware of it. Present study was undertaken to assess the knowledge and awareness among medical students regarding above issue.

Total 145 medical students of 2^nd MBBS of GMERS Medical College, Gujarat were exposed to pre-tested and pre-validated Likert scale type questionnaire (1 to 7, 1-Not at all true, 7-Very true) regarding knowledge and awareness of dowry and domestic violence against women. Data obtained were analyzed via median score and tabulated.

Most of the students know that demand of dowry is against the law and domestic violence against women is associated with dowry. Students had poor awareness regarding ‘The Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961’, ‘The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005’ and ‘The Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993’. Students were well aware of Indian Penal Code deals with dowry death and punishment as per Indian Penal Code deals with dowry death.

Knowledge and awareness regarding basic idea of dowry and domestic violence against women among 2^nd MBBS students are good but in relation with various act and law is poor which in turn may lead to poor understanding of burning subject.