Household exposure to violence and human rights violations in western Bangladesh (II) : history of torture and other traumatic experience of violence and functional assessment of victims
Organised crime and political violence (OPV) and human rights violations have marred Bangladesh history since 1971. Little is known about the consequences for the oppressed population. This study describes the patterns of OPV and human rights violations in a disturbed area of Bangladesh and assesses the physical, emotional and social functioning of victims.
Author: Wang, Shr-Jie | Haque, Mohammad Akramul | Masum, Saber-ud-Daula | Biswas, Shuvodwip | Modvig, Jens
RCT Author: Jens Modvig
Source: BMC international health
and human rights
; vol. 9, no. 31
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Methods: A total of 236 of
selected participants in a
householdsurvey in Meherpur district were
recruited for a detailed study. Interviews and
physical examinations were used to obtain
information about history of
torture and other cruel,
inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
(TCIDTP), and about injuries, pain frequency
and intensity. Handgrip strength
and standing balance performance were
measured. The "WHO-5 Well-being" scale was used
to assess the subjective emotional well-being of
study participants.
Results: The majority of the reported cases of
TCIDTP occurred in 2000-2008; 51% of incidents occurred during
winter; 32.0% between 20:00 and midnight. Police
involvement was reported in 75% of cases. Incidents
took place at victims' homes (46.7%), or at the police
station, military camp, in custody or in prison
(21.9%). Participants experienced 1-10 TCIDTP methods
and reported 0-6 injury locations on their bodies;
77.5% reported having at least two injuries. Less than half of the
participants were able to
stand on one leg for 30 seconds. Only 7.5% of
males aged 25-44 had a handgrip strength in both
hands exceeding average values for healthy people at
the same age. Over 85% of participants scored low (<13) on the
25-point "WHO-5 Well-being" scale. The number of years since the
TCIDTP event, pain frequency, the need to quit
a job totake care of an injured family
member, political involvement, personal conflicts and
the fear of neighbourhood violence
strongly affected emotional well-being. Good emotional
well-being correlated with increased political and
social participation.
Conclusions: A detailed picture of
characteristics of the victimisation is presented. The participants
showed poor emotional well-being and reduced physical
capacity. The results indicated that the simple and
rapid method of assessment used here is a promising
tool that could be used to
monitor the quality and outcome of
rehabilitation.