An Analytical Study on the Emerging Scope and Awareness of Forensic Nursing among Nursing Colleges in India

Abstract

Introduction: Around the world, nurses provide medical care in jails. Custodial health nurses (CHNs) use specialized nursing skills and knowledge to perform vital tasks while working under security constraints in settings not intended for nursing care. Prisoners must have access to these nurses due to the sharp rise in their age, illness, and infirmity.
Methodology: Three Indian nursing schools, including Saint Florence College, Jeevan Shree College of Nursing and College of Nursing, RDASMC, Ayodhya, participated in a cross-sectional analytical study. About 300 participants (faculty and students) were given a structured, pre-tested questionnaire with knowledge scores ranging from 0 to 20 and scales for attitude and perceived scope. Chi-square tests, t-tests, and descriptive statistics were used to examine the data; significance was established at p <0.05.
Results: Mean knowledge score was 12.8 ± 3.6. Awareness levels: poor 30%, moderate 40%, good 30%. Significant associations were found between awareness level and years of experience (≤5 vs >5 years; χ² = 40.74, df = 2, p <0.001) and between awareness and college type (private vs government; χ² = 19.58, df = 2, p = 5.6×10⁻⁵). Only 28% reported any formal training in forensic nursing; 18% reported clinical forensic exposure at their institution.
Conclusions: There are significant gaps in formal training and practical exposure, and forensic nursing awareness and perceived scope are moderate in the studied Indian nursing colleges. It is advised to incorporate forensic nursing courses into faculty development programs and undergraduate and graduate curricula.