Socio-Demographic Characteristics of Acid Victims in Bangladesh

This descriptive cross sectional study was carried out on acid victims, who were admitted to Dhaka MedicalCollege Hospital (DMCH) and were present in Thikana and Jibontara (clinic cum rehabilitation centre) ofAcid Survivors Foundation (ASF). Most of the acid victims from every corner of the country come to DMCHfor their treatment and ASF provides both curative and rehabilitative assistance as well as legal proceduralhelp. A total number of 90 (ninety) acid victims, both old and new cases were selected purposively in the studyto determine their socio demographic characteristics and also to identify the possible causes and the perceivedperpetrators. Victims' age range was 01 to 50 years and Mean ± SD of age was 20.03 ± 8.83 years. Ninetypercent (81) of the victims were female, 58.9% (53) were adolescent, 60% (54) were unmarried, 53.3% (48)were below secondary level educated, 51.1% (46) were student and 32.2% (29) were housewife by occupation.Sixty nine percent (62) victims were from semi-urban area and 40% (36) from Dhaka division (capital city)and 62.2% (56) victims from income < 5,000 taka per month. Fifty five percent (50) causes were due to variousrefusals and 14.4% (13) were due to dowry, 64.4% (58) perpetrators were rejected suitor and 16.7% (15) werehusband. Eighty percent (72) incidences were occurred at home and 93.3% (84) occurrences were at nighttime.Ninety one percent (82) victims received threat before the incidence and 52.3% (33) filed general diary (GD) inlocal police station before the occurrence. Seventy nine percent (71) survivors had no knowledge about acid, itssource and its consequences before the incidence. This study depicts the national scenario of the sociodemographiccharacteristics of acid victims and perceived perpetrators in Bangladesh.Key words: Acid victims; Bangladesh; victim age.DOI: 10.3329/jafmc.v6i1.5985Journal of Armed Forces Medical College, Bangladesh Vol.6(1) 2010 p.12-15