The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

The spread of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) may turn into epidemic as the virus is being originated in the country apart from spreading through migrated people in recent years.

The number of HIV carrying people in the country is at least 1500 which was 1207 and 1495 in 2007 and 2008 respectively. 'The scenario has changed as we have noticed that the virus is being originated in the country and its spread through migrated people has apparently reduced,' said former Vice Chancellor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) Professor Dr Md Nazrul Islam on Monday.

He said this in his keynote speech at a seminar , 'Responsibility of the youth for prevention of HIV/AIDS', organised by Shaheed Dr Fazle Rabbee Foundation at Daffodil International University (DIU).

Male are infected by HIV than woman in the country, he said adding if we could not prevent the virus from originating in the country, the ratio of male and female HIV infection would gradually become equal.

BSMMU conducted a survey which revealed that 50 percent of male who came for HIV test at the university are students and 80 percent of them got it through mixing with prostitutes.

Students who stay at Hall, Dormitory and hostel are more vulnerable to HIV infection than those living with families, he said. Nazrul Islam said that 75-85 percent people of the world get infected through sexual intercourse. Transmission of HIV usually occur mainly through blood, semen, vaginal fluids and breast milk from the infected people.

'Washing hand with soap thoroughly can inactivate HIV', said the former BSMMU VC. In this context he suggested that the important method of prevention and control of HIV/AIDS is care and support of people Living with HIV (PLHIV) through which the source of virus is contained.

He stressed the need for availability of Voluntary Counselling and Training (VCT ) at all Thana Hospitals.

Prof Dr AK Azad Chowdhury, former VC, University of Dhaka, Prof Dr Aminul Islam, VC, Daffodil University, Dr Md Yeasin Ali, Fellow, World Health Organisation (WHO) and Wahida Banu, Chairperson, STI/AIDS Network of Bangladesh among others, spoke.

Stressing on behavioural change, AK Azad said, "Behavioural change and precaution could prevent the spread of the disease." Knowledge, he said is the best way to fight with the disease. People should overcome social taboo and be frank to prevent the spread the deadly virus, he said.