The New Nation - Internet Edition

HIV/AIDS into a global problem. AIDS has become the most harmful disease humankind has ever faced. Since the start of the epidemic, more than 50 million people have been infected with the HIV. Some worst effected region of sub-Saharan Africa where HIV/AIDS is now the leading cause of death. Women and young adults are heavily affected by the epidemic. They are at greater risk of infection due to physiological, anatomical and socio-economic reasons.

HIV/AIDS are devastating to the individual and the society. HIV/AIDS is not simply a medical disease but also a social one. The spread of HIV/AIDS depends on, and exposes, every weakness in society. It spreads if there is poverty, gender inequality, illiteracy, lack of public health, if women do not have reproductive rights, if the use of injection drug is high and widespread, and if illicit sexual behavior or risky-behavior becomes part of daily life.

As mention by experts "The global HIV/AIDS epidemic is the greatest threat to individual, socio-economic survival that the World has ever known. Its pattern varies between countries according to mode of transmission and ability of public society to respond. The poorest are the most affected. Achieving behaviour change is difficult but vital." Social Researcher Arif Sikder of the EC Bangladesh said, "Without major changes in behavior and an increase in knowledge about HIV/AIDS, the illness could spread rapidly among at-risk populations. Soon it could affect the general population as well."

The behavioural reasons, on the superficial, are quite simple. The risks of sexual behaviour patterns are well predictable. Sex with multiple partners, commercial sex workers (CSWs) or Injection Drug Users (IDUs) increases the risk. The young, having immature reproductive tract lining, are especially vulnerable. Most of the time they are to face different problems. So it would be necessary to educate themselves in the light of preventive measures such as Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) treatment / management, promotion of use of condoms for their own benefit Leadership development is necessary among the CSWs because they are the most helpless victims of HIV/AIDS and other social oppressions.

Bangladesh is still considered as a low HIV/AIDS prevalent country; The Behavioral Surveillance found a high prevalence of syphilis among CSWs in Bangladesh. Uncountable street-based, residence, hotel sex workers in central Bangladesh who frequently make high-risk in general population. Furthermore, sex workers often lack of power to negotiate safe sex or seek treatment of sexually transmitted infections.

It is time to raise social awareness against this deadly disease and contain it before it goes out of proportion.

Mohammad Khairul Alam

M. C. Roy Lane

Dhaka.