Author: Lina Ferdous
AIT Library Call Number: AIT Thesis no.GD-05-03
Year: 2005
Academic Program: Gender and Development Studies (GDS)
Type: Thesis (M.Sc.) – Asian Institute of Technology, 2005
Examination Committee: Barbara Earth (Chairperson); Bernadette P. Resurreccion, Preeda Pakpian (Examination Committee Members)
Abstract: The research is centered on gendered socio-cultural construction of arsenicosis and disease stigma penetrating the lives of the poor patients. In rural Bangladesh to accomplish the objective, ethnographic research design is chosen which employs qualitative methods based on case-studies. The main respondents are arsenicosis patients who are mainly classified into women and men, married and unmarried groups, ages ranging from 15-60 years. They are selected from two districts in Bangladesh. One Upazilla from each district is selected which areBera in Pabna district and Serajdikhan in Munshigonj district where the study is centered in several villages. The exploratory research examines a broad range of socio-cultural problems faced by arsenicosis patients. Qualitative interviews of 30 patients of different classes in terms of wealth and poverty, with different degrees of disease affliction help us understand various aspects of their lives with external forces influencing them. Eighteen case studies and quotes from many patients, non-patient family members, neighbors, field-level workers and NGO personnel are scattered throughout the research. By comparing the perceptions of different categories of people, the case-studies document the gendered socio-cultural construction of the disease. In a limited scope, the research identifies some major emergent issues surrounding arsenicosis which include social stigma, gender discrimination in attitudes, inadequate care and family support, psychosocial disorders, etc. It supports the existence of stigma, resulting social problems, knowledge-gaps, superstitutions and misconceptions regarding arsenicosis in rural societies of Bangladesh. The patients suffer from psychosocial disorders-divorce, rejection in marriage and within society, isolation, depression, low self-esteem, loss of employment and other socio-economic deprivations. The fear of stigma and tendency to hide the disease from others prevent them from taking prompt treatment sometimes. Despite social awareness
Scholarship Donor(s): Government of Norway (NORAD)
Note: A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, School of Environment, Resources and Development
Advisory: Full-text is available at https://library.ait.ac.th/ (accessible to local ip address only)
