Filicide-Extended Suicide in Bangladesh: A Socio-demographic Analysis from Media Reports Filicide-Extended Suicide in Bangladesh

Abstract

Background: Filicide-extended suicide is a complex problem affecting the whole family. Despite its impact, no previous attempt has been identified to assess the sociodemographic variables of filicide-extended suicide in Bangladesh. This study aimed to examine the socio-demographic aspects of filicide-extended suicide in the country.

Methods: Data were extracted from news reports of different media outlets in Bangladesh with specific search terms to identify filicide-extended suicide in the country. 

Results: We analyzed 26 events of filicide-extended suicide where 69 persons died, about 58% were mothers, about 73% of the perpetrators died by suicide, and 45 children were killed. Hanging (58.3%) was the commonest method of suicide attempt, followed by poisoning (29.2%), while strangulation (47.8%) was the commonest method of killing, followed by poisoning (34.8%). Among the instigating factors, marital discord due to poverty was the leading reason (61%), followed by financial hardship (22%). 

Conclusion: This report identified the socio-demography of filicide-extended suicide in Bangladesh, highlighting key sociological contributors to this phenomenon.