The New Nation - Internet Edition

Dr. Ashiqur Rahman

Over 6800 new HIV infections a day in 2007. About 1200 are in children under 15 years of age. About 5800 are in adults aged 15 years and older of whom: almost 50% are among women, about 40% are among young people (15-24). Everyday more than 5,700 people die from Human Immune deficiency Virus. More than 96% are in low and middle income countries.

Although the epicenter of the AIDS epidemic is in Africa, numerically India has the largest AIDS population in the world. This is of concern to us. Not only because of proximity but also because there is so much of interaction with them, as well. The socio-economic similarities are also reason for concern. However, so far the number of reported AIDS patients in Bangladesh is extremely low. But that also raises concerns, as it is too low to be credible. In fact, most people involved with the AIDS programme feel that the figures are understated and many people may be dying without proper medical assistance. Most AIDS conscious people feel that the social environment must improve for the actual numbers to surface.

Two species of HIV infect humans: HIV-1 and HIV-2. HIV-1 is more virulent and more easily transmitted, and is the source of the majority of HIV infections throughout the world, while HIV-2 is less easily transmitted and is largely confined to West Africa. Both forms of the virus are believed to have originated in West-Central Africa, and jumped species (zoonosis) from primates to humans.

Since the first detection of HIV in Bangladesh in 1889, the rate of infection has not been increased in comparison to our neighbors. Bangladesh is still fortunate to be a low prevalent country in the region. Cumulative as of 1st December 2007, Total reported cases 1207, total AIDS cases 365 and total death 123. Religious and cultural values and practices, family bondage help Bangladesh to remain as low prevalent country for HIV. According to National HIV Surveillance findings, the rate of HIV infection among the street based sex workers in central Bangladesh is higher than that of the sex workers in other parts of South Asia. The majority of brothel-based sex workers report having sex without using condoms with some of their clients.

Another major concern is the significant number of IDUs who sell their blood professionally. Bangladesh relies on professional blood sellers to meet most of the blood transfusion needs to its people.

Lack of proper knowledge on HIV/AIDS is another high risk factor. More than 85% of young people have heard about HIV/AIDS. Only 21.7% have correct knowledge on transmission. 57 to 73% have misconceptions on prevention after unsafe sex (washing genitalia, taking antibiotic, etc). 22% of unmarried males and 2% of unmarried females have premarital sex (over 50% of which is unsafe-BUT). Only 2.2% of males and 1.1% of females perceive themselves at risk

Therefore, it is imperative to give priority to education, poverty alleviation, and regular media coverage for disseminating knowledge about HIV/AIDS, and to offer sex education to the adolescents and the young under an academic program.

Meanwhile, an initiative has been taken to develop a multi-sector response to HIV/AIDS. Strategic action plans of the NASP set forth specific guidelines on a range of HIV issues, including testing, care, blood safety, and preventive measures for youth, women, migrant workers, and commercial sex workers.

There is good news, too, in the AIDS sector of Bangladesh. Medical practitioners have reported that there have been few reports of AIDS being contracted locally. The Highest incidence is among expatriate workers while the number of AIDS patients among the Bangladeshi troops serving as UN peacekeepers is very low. The reason doctors feel for this is the high motivation among the peacekeepers. They feel that a similar programme should also be started among expatriate workers. It is reasonable to expect that similar programs will yield like encouraging results.