Risk Factors of Violent Death in Rural Bangladesh, 1990–1999

This study attempts to improve our understanding of the prevalence and determinants of violent death in rural Bangladesh. Data came from a demographic surveillance system covering a population of nearly 62,000 in 10 districts of the country. Findings reveal that drowning and homicide were the leading causes of death followed by traffic accident and suicide. Significant sociodemographic differentials in violent death existed. The probability to become the victim of violent death was 61.2 per 100,000 if the person was very young, male, poor, illiterate and Muslim. The author concludes that the public health program should consider the appropriate mechanisms to prevent many avoidable events of death in rural Bangladesh.