Background Injuries is a major cause of mortality and disability around the world including Bangladesh. However, injury related disability is a neglected public health agenda in Bangladesh due to unavailability of updated and valid data.

Objective The study aimed at measuring the prevalence of injury related disability and associated factors in Bangladesh.

Methods A nationwide cross-sectional survey was conducted between March and June 2016, at household level in 16 randomly selected districts. Multistage cluster sampling method considering probability-proportional-to-size strategy with separate urban and rural setting was used to obtain the desired sample. The electronic data collection process was through face-to-face interviews with the respondents to collect all the required information. Verbal autopsy method was used to ascertain the cause of both morbidity and mortality.

Results The overall rate of injury related disabilities per 100,00 population was (165.8;95%CI;151.8–181.0) with higher prevalence among the people 60 years and above (446.7;95%CI;368.1–541.9). Prevalence of disabilities was nearly twofold among the males (226.7;95%CI;203.8–252) compared to females (104.5; 95%CI;89.4–122.3). Prevalence was significantly higher among the rural people (194.8; 95% CI 176.1–215.5) than the urban people (113.0;95%CI;94.5–135.0). The leading causes of injury related disabilities was road traffic injuries (34.3%) followed by falls (33.9%). The proportionate distribution of disabilities among the machine injury, cut injury and blunt injury were 7.7%, 6.9% and 6.0% respectively. On the other hand, the lowest percentage of disability related to injuries was caused by burns (0.8%), electrocution (2.8%), animal bites (4.0%), and violence (3.6%). Among the permanent disabilities due to injury was about 42.34% loss of mobility, 37.10% loss of activities with hand, 10.1 % loss of vision, 2.42% loss of intellect, 1.61% loss of speech and 1.21 % loss of hearing. Transportation facilities were the highest reported site of injury accounting for 41%. Others significant places of injury were found yard 13.7%, Industry/factory/workshop /construction area 10.1%, bedroom and living room 9.3% and agriculture field 7.7%

Conclusions This study established injury related disabilities as a substantial public health burden in Bangladesh. Thus, the findings of the study could be used as the knowledge base for future policy implications, especially in the health sector.