Exploring the intersection of critical disability studies, humanities and global health through a case study of scarf injuries in Bangladesh

Med Humanit, 2022 · DOI: 10.1136/medhum-2021-012244 · Published: May 2, 2022

Simple Explanation

This article discusses scarf injuries in Bangladesh, where women's scarves get caught in autorickshaw driveshafts, causing spinal cord injuries. The authors argue that global health should incorporate critical disability studies to understand the full human experience of life with disability. The study highlights the need to address social and economic structures contributing to these injuries and to empower women with disabilities.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

12 families who sustained a scarf injury

Evidence Level

Original research

Key Findings

1
Scarf injuries disproportionately affect adolescent girls from low-income backgrounds due to the affordability of autorickshaws.
2
Women with scarf injuries face challenges beyond the injury itself, including negative perceptions of disability and lack of accessible infrastructure.
3
Global health research needs to move beyond medical interventions and grapple with the meaning of disability within communities.

Research Summary

The article explores the intersection of critical disability studies, humanities, and global health using scarf injuries in Bangladesh as a case study. It argues for the integration of a humanities-based critical disability studies methodology into the developing subfield of global health humanities. The authors emphasize the importance of addressing structural disparities and cultural norms to empower women with scarf injuries.

Practical Implications

Policy Changes

Advocate for safety regulations and infrastructure improvements to prevent scarf injuries.

Inclusive Healthcare

Promote healthcare systems that address both medical and social needs of disabled women.

Community Support

Foster community support networks to empower women with disabilities and combat stigma.

Study Limitations

1
The study is limited by its focus on scarf injuries in Bangladesh, which may not be generalizable to other contexts.
2
The research is primarily qualitative, relying on interviews with a small number of participants.
3
The authors acknowledge the Euro-American centric origins of disability studies as a limitation for global health research.

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