The New Nation - Internet Edition

Shakeel Ahmed Ibne Mahmood

Bangladesh has been recognized as one of the five countries in the Asia, where HIV/AIDS infections are increasing according to 8th International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific (ICAAP8) in Colombo 2007.

Bangladesh is a country of 150 million. Although Bangladesh is a low prevalence country for HIV/AIDS, all the factors that may allow rapid spread of infection leading to an epidemic are present here. These factors include poverty, illiteracy, ignorance, proximity, malnutrition, unemployment, slum housing, family fragility, physical and sexual abuse, high prevalence of STIs, sharing injecting equipment, high-risk behavior, lack of awareness and knowledge (lack of proper communication strategy), very mobile populations, human trafficking into prostitution, stigmatization of those infected, conservative social attitudes, and being surrounded by countries that have a higher prevalence increases the HIV risk. Sharing injecting equipment increases the HIV risk. In addition increased number of migrant workers (there is evidence of high rates of HIV transmission to wives from their husbands after their return from abroad), unsafe practice in health service, unsafe sex practice, increasing number of homosexuality, low popularity of condoms & lack of voluntary blood donors & dependence on professional blood sellers further increases.

Current HIV/AIDS situation:

According to the government statistics, a cumulative total of 874 cases of HIV/AIDS has been confirmed and reported as of 31st December 2006. A total of 240 AIDS cases were detected so far of which 109 had already died.

A government survey found that out of 216 new HIV positive cases identified in 2006, unemployed people were on top of the list at 39.35 per cent followed by housewives at 21.29 per cent and businessmen at 10.18 per cent.

Injecting drug users (IDU) in Dhaka are at high risk of HIV/AIDS, according to new study by ICDDR,B. HIV prevalence in Dhaka has dramatically risen to 7% from 1.7% in last six years. Sharing of injection equipment is common in most IDU surveyed. The IDU are not isolated as they have sex partners, both commercial and non-commercial, they rarely use condoms and some sell blood. IDU are also mobile traveling from one city to another and sharing injection equipment in different cities. Mobility is major factor that increases the risk of acquiring and spreading HIV infection among the non-drug users.

The adolescent and youth are also vulnerable to HIV/AIDS. A survey among adolescents and young people (15-24 years) in 2005 revealed that only one out of 3 males in urban and 1 out of 4 in rural areas had correct knowledge of HIV/AIDS. Nearly 59 per cent of married women and 42 per cent of men of age 15-54 group have no knowledge as how to avoid HIV.

Future Priorities:

Mandatory testing for HIV infection is common in many countries before traveling and those returning from countries with high HIV/AIDS prevalence. Bangladesh should follow these norms. To prevent a major epidemic, Bangladesh needs to address HIV/AIDS using a multi-pronged strategy: firstly, Formulating the national HIV/AIDS communication strategy, secondly, concentrating on groups most vulnerable to the infection; thirdly, working with the general population (community mobilization and community supports); and fourthly, care and support to those already infected and affected by HIV/AIDS has to be provided (voluntary counseling). Dissemination and advocacy can also play a big role. We need to change our society through public policy research, public awareness, increase funding, and community education. Above all Bangladesh should immediately translate its HIV/AIDS policies into action to benefit the people of this country and for that reason we need strong and an effective leadership. Other wise HIV/AIDS will destroy the economic growth of the Country. We the inhabitants of this planet are to work hard together to control this scourge because 'to conquer AIDS any where, it must be conquered everywhere'- Late J. Mann

(The wither Member, Youth Wing, National AIDS Committee, Bangladesh Technical Assistance Provider, AED, Center on AIDS & Community Health, USA and Chief Editor, Nirmul, Bangladesh AIDS Prevention Society)