Spousal Violence Against Women and Suicidal Ideation in Bangladesh

Objective This paper explores suicidal ideation among reproductive-aged, ever-married women in Bangladesh and its association with physical, sexual, and emotional violence by their husband. Methods Population-based data were used in this analysis from a 2001 survey conducted as part of World Health Organization multicountry study on domestic violence against women in rural and urban Bangladesh. All ever-married, reproductive-aged women participating in the survey (n=2,702) were included in the current analysis. Multilevel logistic regression analysis was used for assessing association between violence and suicidal ideation among women. Results Results show that the prevalence of lifetime suicidal ideation among reproductive aged ever-married women in Bangladesh was high (11%-14%) compared with other countries in the world. About 5%-6% of the ever-married women in…