Household exposure to violence and human rights violations in western Bangladesh (I) : prevalence, risk factors and consequences
The ruling parties in Bangladesh have systematically used violence against political opponents and criminals. It is essential to 1) determine the magnitude and burden of organised crime and political violence (OPV) and human rights violations in the affected community, and to 2) identify the risk factors and key indicators for developing effective health intervention and prevention measures.
Source: BMC international health
and human rights
; vol. 9, no. 29
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Methods: The population-based study consisted of two parts: a
household survey and OPV screening at mobile clinics
(presented in Part II). A cross-sectional, multistage cluster
household survey was conducted in the Meherpur
district in February-March 2008; 22 clusters with a sample size of
1,101 households (population of 4,870) were
selected.
Results: Around 83% of households reported being
exposed to at least two categories of OPV or human rights
violations: 29% reported that the family members had been arrested
or detained; 31% reported torture or other cruel, inhuman or
degrading treatment or punishment. Crude mortality rate was
17.9/1,000 and under 5 mortality rate was 75/1,000. The annual
injury rate was 36%, lifetime experience of violence-related injury
was 50%, and pain experience within 2 weeks was reported by 57%.
Over 80% of the population over 35 years old complained of pain.
High prevalence of injury, lifetime experience of OPV-related
injury and pain complaints are related to the level of exposure to
OPV and human rights violations.
A financial burden was imposed on families with an injured
person. A geographical variation was revealed regarding reports of
torture and lifetime experience of violence-related injury. A
combination of individual, relational, community and societal
factors, including variables such as political party affiliation,
conflict with other families, household income and
residential area, affected the risk of victimisation in the
household. The odds ratio for reporting extrajudicial
execution of a family member was 9.22 for Awami League supporters,
9.15 for Bangladesh Nationalist Party supporters; and 3.97 for
Jamaat-e-Islami Party supporters compared with families with no
political involvement.
Conclusions: The level of violence and human rights violations
is high. The affected population suffers from violence-related
injuries and traumas, which could be a factor contributing to
poverty. Victimisation is not random.