Attitude and Knowledge of Undergraduate Medical Students towards the Use of Animals in Medical Research: An Exploratory Study
Journal Title: Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research - Year 2018, Vol 12, Issue 7
Abstract
Introduction: Medical undergraduate courses and medical students have less emphasis on animal research and the various ethical issues surrounding animal research. Animal research plays a vital role in basic medical research and yet undergraduate students know very little about the same. Aim: To assess the attitude and knowledge of medical undergraduate students towards animal research in general. Materials and Methods: A total of 152 undergraduate medical students in the final year of their medical studies from two medical colleges (one from Mumbai and one from Kolhapur) were administered a semi-structured questionnaire on attitude and knowledge towards animal research. The questionnaire was validated by three senior researchers and was specially designed for the study. The data were collected and analysed using frequency and percentages. Results: Only 66(43.42%) students had visited an animal house/animal laboratory in their medical training and 114 (75%) of them had actual experience of handling animals mainly in the form of dissection studies on rats, frogs and guinea pigs. Only 21(13.8%) were aware of ethical guidelines regarding animal research and 23 (15.1%) strongly agreed that ethical aspects of animal research needed stringent regulation in India. Conclusion: Animal research awareness is scarce in undergraduate medical students and there is a need to incorporate animal research awareness from a medical science point of view in their curriculum to help them develop an understanding of animal research and its ethical dimensions.
Authors and Affiliations
Sharmada Nerlekar, Sagar Karia, Devavrat Harshe, Romil Warkari, Avinash Desousa
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP523236
- DOI 10.7860/JCDR/2018/32260.11768
- Views 80
- Downloads 0
Anatomical and Clinical Perspective of Medial Arm Region Perforators-A Potential Flap for Reconstructive Surgeries
ABSTRACT Introduction: The medial arm region can be a potential donor site for the flap surgeries because of its excellent colour and ideal thickness. It is an excellent choice for coverage of elbow, axilla, distant mic...
Comparing the Effects of Hot Shower and Intravenous Injection of Hyoscine on the Pain Intensity and Duration of Active Phase of Labour in Nulliparous Women
Introduction: Parturition is a painful process and one of midwives’ duties is to reduce the pain during labour. Aim: To compare the effect of hot shower and intravenous injection of hyoscine on the pain severity and dura...
Atrophic Rhinitis with Maggot Infestation- A Demographic Study
Introduction: Atrophic rhinitis is a chronic nasal condition characterised by atrophic changes in the nasal mucosa and the underlying bones. This leads to the formation of abnormally roomy nasal cavities, anosmia, foul s...
A Clinical Audit on Technical Difficulties during Epidural Catheter Placement
ABSTRACT Introduction: Epidural catheter placement is a routinely performed invasive procedure conducted by anaesthesiologist’s world over. A functional epidural catheter improves, not only the quality of anaesthesia but...
Utility of Ovarian Tumour Marker Cancer Antigen-125 and Endocrine Hormonal Status in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
ABSTRACT Introduction: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrinopathy in women of reproductive age. Women with PCOS are at increased risk of reproductive abnormalities with a prevalence of up to 10%....