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7500 people HIV infected in Bangladesh
By Staff Reporter
Sat, 28 Apr 2007, 14:25:00

Some 71 per cent day labourers, 67 per cent rickshaw-pullers and 61 per cent truck drivers in Dhaka have no proper knowledge about HIV/AIDS.

According to the Government statistics, an estimated 7,500 people are HIV infected, 874 are HIV positive and 240 developed AIDS. A total of 109 people died of AIDS in the country.

This was revealed from a survey report on 'substance abuse and HIV/AIDS among bridging population' conducted by Life, an Associated NGO of the United Nations (UN), in collaboration with the UNESCO. The survey report was published at a dissemination workshop held at the National Press club yesterday.

Lt Gen (Retd) Nuruddin Khan, former Minister and Chief of Army Staff, was present as chief guest in the workshop. AHG Mohiuddin, former ambassador to the UN, Dr Afrozi Yunus, Professor of Department of Physics of Jahangirnagar University, Kazi Ali Reza, Officer-in-charge of UNIC, Mahfuza Rahman, Programme Officer of UNESCO, Dr Rejuan Hussain Bhuiyan of Dhaka University, among others, spoke at the workshop, while Kamrul Islam Sony, Chairman of Life, presided over it.

Muhammad Amirul Islam, Coordinator of Life, presented the key-note paper.

About 75 per cent truck drivers said that HIV/AIDS is curable, 85 per cent informed that HIV could be infected from one to another person through touching. A large number of truck drivers (72 per cent) met in sexual intercourse with 10 to 14 persons last year. The study also shows that 82.5 per cent truck drivers never used condoms with the commercial sex workers, 90 per cent never used the condom while meeting with the non-commercial sex workers, 20.7 per cent feel pain or irritation during urination.

About 84 per cent day labourers said that HIV/AIDS is curable. HIV/AIDS can spread by using utensils or toilets of an infected person (88.7 per cent). Some 58.7 per cent day labourers drank phensidyl last year. Some 24 per cent day labourers had started sex for the first time within the 14 years, 5 per cent day labourers did sexual intercourse with five persons last year, 98 per cent day labourers never used condoms while meeting with non-commercial or irregular partners, the report added.

About 91 per cent rickshaw-pullers have heard the name of AIDS. Different media has informed 74.25 per cent of them. Some 85.25 per cent informed that HIV/AIDS could be infected one to another person through touching, while 43.25 per cent said that HIV/AIDS could not spread from husband to wife or vice-versa, the report also said.

About 82 per cent truck drivers, 88.5 per cent day labourers and 89.75 per cent rickshaw-pullers said that HIV/AIDS infected people should be kept into an isolated place, the report added.



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