Indian Journal of Law and Human Behavior

This paper traces the use of DNA testing in paternity confirmation in India. Although the use of DNA fingerprinting has revolutionized crime investigations across the world, it has also opened a Pandora’s Box wherein men are increasingly using this technology for the genetic verification of their children in India. The easy and affordable availability of genetic testing in an unregulated free market has resulted in the increasing popularity of getting a DNA test done on children to verify a biological relationship with their fathers. Further, the courts have become sites of arbitrating the complexities related to the use of this technology in a deeply patriarchal society.

Keywords: DNA; Paternity; Feminism; Patriarchy; Technology.

Background: The association between depression and thyroid disorders are studied extensively but still remains disputable. Hence, the current study was designed to estimate the proportion of thyroid dysfunction among depressive patients and also to study their association. Material and Methods: This was a hospital based cross sectional study done in a tertiary care centre in rural Puducherry. Eighty eligible patients with depression of any severity were included. They were interviewed with structured pretested questionnaire. The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale was used to measure the level of severity of depression. Thyroid functions test was carried out. Ethical principles were adhered throughout the study. SPSS version 24.0 was used for analysis and Chi-square test was used to find out association between severity of depression and thyroid status. Results: Of 80 depressed participants 45% were more than 45 years, females (72.5%) were the maximum and so 35% were homemakers. Participants belonging to upper middle socio-economic class were the majority (42.5%) and 65% were from rural area. Of the study participants 60, (75%) had normal thyroid function tests, one (5%) had hyperthyroid state and the remaining 19 (95%) had hypothyroidism. Among the depressed patients 67.5% had mild to moderate depression and 32.5% had severe depression. Increasing age and hypothyroid status were statistically associated. Conclusions: Majority of the depressed patients had moderate level of severity and hypothyroidism was the most common thyroid abnormality identified. Increasing age and hypothyroid status were associated with depression. Periodic screening of depressed patients for thyroid abnormality is recommended.

Keywords: Association; Depression; Hypothyroid; Screening.

Background: Alcohol consumption steadily increases globally. It affects sexual function and this study aims to study the proportion of alcohol dependent men with erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation and tried to find out the correlation of alcohol consumption with serum testosterone and sexual dysfunction. Material and Methods: Cross sectional hospital based study done in a tertiary care teaching hospital. Eighty alcohol dependent men fulfilling the eligibility criteria were recruited from the deaddiction clinic. They were administered with Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUIDT), International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool (PEDT) tools and their blood testosterone levels were checked. Data were entered in EpiInfo software and analysed using SPSS version 24. Proportion and Pearson correlation were calculated. Results: Most of them (67.5%) were in the age group of 35–45 years and almost 80% of them were from rural area. Almost 90% of them had erectile dysfunction and 67% had premature ejaculation. AUDIT score was negatively correlated with serum testosterone level and IIEF score and positively correlated with PEDT score. Conclusions: Alcohol deaddictioncentre should routinely screen for the sexual dysfunction among the clients and should be equipped with treatment services for commonest sexual dysfunction along with deaddiction services.

Keywords: Alcohol dependence; Erectile dysfunction; Premature ejaculation; Testosterone.