The New Nation - Internet Edition

S.M Shahrear Akhlaque

People like to believe in Myths although myths are not true. In fact, those who are in verdict power, they always attempt to broaden many kinds of humors or myths for legitimate their supremacy. Hence, myth is a very strong tools for developed country to edict over the under developed countries. However around the world, there are great numbers of different myths about HIV/AIDS. Here are some of the most common ones:

'Sex with a virgin can cure HIV'. . This myth is common in some parts of Africa, and it is totally untrue. The myth has resulted in many rapes of young girls and children by HIV+ men, who often infect their victims. Rape won't cure anything and is a serious crime all around the world.

'You would have to drink a bucket of infected saliva to become infected yourself' . . .This is a typical myth. HIV is found in saliva, but in quantities too small to infect someone. If you drink a bucket of saliva from an HIV positive person, you won't become infected. There has been only one recorded case of HIV transmission via kissing, out of all the many millions of kisses. In this case, both partners had extremely badly bleeding gums.

'It only happens to gay men / black people / young people, etc'. . This myth is false. Most people who become infected with HIV didn't think it would happen to them, and were wrong.

'HIV can pass through latex'. . Some people have been spreading rumors that the virus is so small that it can pass through 'holes' in latex used to make condoms. This is untrue. The fact is that latex blocks HIV, as well as sperm - preventing pregnancy, too.

According to the recent research by various AIDS Research Institute we came to know that, The AIDS prevalence in Bangladesh is still under 1% in general. But the reality is low stratum of AIDS in the country today, does not guarantee low prevalence tomorrow. Because all the risk factors which give birth to explosive HIV/AIDS epidemics are present in Bangladesh vigorously. For example high level of unprotected sex, needle sharing among IDUs and high level of syphilis are found in the country. Even the outbreak of HIV in neighboring countries (India/Thailand) and steady rise of STDs in the country make Bangladesh a high-risk zone of HIV/AIDS. Further more cross border mobility and international employment is a great threat resulting in the rapid spread of HIV/AIDS.

Worldwide, internal and external migration and trafficking is another enormous dilemma to HIV/AIDS. Trafficking is strong link with HIV epidemic, typically trafficking victims are used in commercial sex industry in other geo-political area. They were forced to sexual accomplish with multiple partners in daily footing. The 'Rainbow Nari O Shishu Kallyan Foundation' and 'SHARP Samaj Kallayan Shangstha' jointly survey at Maymensing Brothel in Bangladesh. This study point out that, more than 25% sex workers were entered this profession entwined through instigation of traffickers.

In this article, I endeavor to prove the above circumstances as myth but the fact is that, if all concerning groups do not take part in their standard roll timely, then somehow the myths can become true within dumpy time. Hence, my suggestion in favor of preventing HIV/AIDS from the country as below: Government ministries and departments (health, education, social welfare, labour, justice) must provide necessary education and reserve peoples rights. An affordable, reachable, accessible, strong system must be made available to individual/ groups. So they can demand their rights.

Policy maker are responsible for developing public health policies that are based on human rights. Such policies not only focus on the rights of people living with HIV/AIDS, but also on the broader range of human rights that influence peoples vulnerability of the epidemic.

Private and public companies should provide their employees with the knowledge, skill and resources to protect themselves from HIV/AIDS. This require effective programmes (education, counseling, treatment for sexuality transmitted infection (STIs), condom demonstration or distribution) and policies (clear guideline to illness. testing) based on technical expertise that target all levels of the company to ensure a sustained, flexible, sensitive and non discriminatory response to HIV/AIDS.

NGO should provide HIV/ AIDS education and foyer others in government, the private sector, media and religious organization to provide HIV education. In addition, NGO should demonstrate successful strategies for overcoming the cultural, social and political obstacles among parents, teachers, government officials, religious leaders and media to provide accurate information about HIV/AIDS for all people, including women, children.

Media, religious leaders and politicians need to allow and encourage free access to up to date and adequate information about HIV/AIDS and sexuality.

Teachers and health professionals need to ensure that, children and adults have the necessary knowledge and skills to shield themselves from HIV infection.

All levels of parents must protect the health of their children. Protect them from abuse, neglect and exploitation and provide them necessary education that they need to protect themselves from HIV/AIDS.