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North South University
Department of Public Health
StudentName: KhorsedAlam Prince
StudentID No: 1411765030
Course name and code: PBH 101
Title of the assignment:HIV/AIDS in Bangladesh
Submittedto: Dr. Mohammad Hayatun Nabi (HtN)
Length: 6 pages(1087 words)
Due Date: 01st
December2015
Date of Submission:01st
December2015
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certify thatno part of this assignmentorproducthasbeen copied fromany otherstudent’swork
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Introduction
HIV is a virus that gradually attacks the immune system. If a person infected with HIV,
they will find it harder to fight off infection and diseases. The virus destroys a type of white
blood cell called a T-helper cell and makes copies of itself inside them. There are some
myths associated with the transmission of the disease. The HIV infection is not acquired
(or transmitted) via mosquitoes, food, water, toilet seats, swimming pools, sweat, tears,
clothing and a handshake. HIV is mainly transmitted through sexual intercourse (vaginal,
anal and oral) or through contact with infected blood, semen, or cervical and vaginal fluids.
Transformation of blood through injecting equipment such as needles or syringes, or skin-
piercing equipment and mother to child are also the route of transmission. Homosexua l
activities are also responsible transmission of AIDS because anal sex that can cause rectal
bleeding (Scholars Journal, 2015).
HIV/AIDS in Bangladesh
The first case of HIV/AIDS in Bangladesh was detected in 1989. Even prior to this first
case, the Government of Bangladesh (GoB) had become active and formed the National
AIDS Committee (NAC) in 1985 in anticipation of an epidemic. Bangladesh is a low HIV
prevalence country. The overall prevalence of HIV in Bangladesh is less than 1%. Now
total number of people living with HIV in Bangladesh is 8900. Prevalence rate among adult
is less than 1%. Adults aged 15 and above living with HIV is 8600. Women aged 15 and
above living with HIV is 2900. Children aged 0 to 14 living with HIV is less than 500.
Death due to HIV is less than 1000. High levels of HIV infection have been found among
injecting drug users (7% in one part of the capital city, Dhaka). (UNIAID report on global
AIDS epidemic 2014).

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Why AIDS is not common in Bangladesh?
The incidence of HIV/AIDS is low in Bangladesh but measures are underway to prevent it
from developing into a major problem. There are different reason for why HIV/AIDS is
not that much prevalent in Bangladesh.
 We have conservative society where moral climate is better than that of other
western countries.
 We are the second largest Muslim nation in the world that includes all the regions
condemns all sorts of illegal sexual behaviors and emphasizes on the moral values
 Family bondage has an immense impact on people.
Risk factors
Although still considered to be a low prevalence country, Bangladesh remains extremely
vulnerable to an HIV epidemic.
Injecting drug users (IDU):
Between 20,000 and 40,000 people in Bangladesh inject drugs, 57% borrow needles. In
Bangladesh's capital city, Dhaka, the HIV rate among IDUs is 6.4% (Government of
Bangladesh World AIDS Day Report, 2008).
Commercial sex work:
It occurs in Bangladesh as it does in other Asian countries. Most married men who have
unprotected sex with sex workers continue to have unprotected sex with their wives,
exposing them to infection with HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. Low condom
use, risky behavior and general lack of understanding about HIV is not limited to clients
of sex workers.
Men having sex with men:

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This is largely hidden due to the powerful stigma and discrimination they face in
Bangladesh. Many men who have sex with men are bi-sexual and do not necessarily
identify themselves as such. Men buying sex from other men rarely use condoms and many
continue to have sex with their wives. Risk-behaviors in Hijra is very high.
Migrant workers:
They are another important group identified as a priority in the Bangladesh National
Strategic Plan for HIV. The risk is that they will get infected during their stay abroad and
return to Bangladesh where they may transmit the virus to others especially their wives
who could in turn transmit infection to their babies. (HIV Vulnerabilities of Migrant
Women from Asia to the Arab States, UNDP 2008).
Lack of proper knowledge & awareness:
Only 16% of girls aged between 15 and 24 have a comprehensive knowledge of HIV in
Bangladesh. There is a high level of misconception among youth. More than half believe
that HIV/AIDS can be spread by coughing or sneezing and 50% believe that HIV can be
spread through sharing food or water with a HIV infected person. The lowest awareness
was found among uneducated women in rural Bangladesh (20%) compared to the educated
urban males (78%) (Third Stocktaking Report published by four UN agencies, 2014).
Low condom use:
Buying sex from sex workers and having female sex partners without using condoms are
common. Unaware men also engage in sex with their wives without condom.
Vulnerable population group:
Particular population subgroups, such as mobile men, including truckers and rickshaw-
pullers, who may eventually be the source of spread of the epidemic into the general
population are very high in Bangladesh.
High prevalence of AIDS in two neighboring countries India and Myanmar is also
considered to be a risk factor of HIV/AIDS in Bangladesh.

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Preventive measures
There are different ways that can help to prevent AIDS from Bangladesh and make people
able to lead a life without the risk of suffering from HIV/AIDS.
 HIV/AIDS prevention messages dissemination through information campaign in
mass and print media
 HIV/AIDS orientation, training and services via Life skills education, Youth
Friendly Health services and accessing condom
 Integration of HIV/AIDS in school and college curriculum
 Advocacy and sensitization of religious leaders, parents and policy makers
 Generating information for policies and programs.
 Increase the scale of prevention services for key populations at higher risk:
Injecting Drug Users (IDUs), Sex Workers (FSWs), hijras (transgender people) &
Men who have Sex with Men (MSM)
Actions taken
UNICEF has played a significant role in maintaining the low HIV prevalence status of
Bangladesh through its management of the HIV/AIDS Prevention Project (HAPP) and the
HIV/AIDS Targeted Interventions (HATI) project. UNICEF manages the NGO services to
implement prevention activities among the most at-risk populations - injecting drug users,
sex workers, mobile populations, men who have sex with men, and clients of sex workers.
Services were provided through 146 drop-in centers (DICs) in 44 districts of Bangladesh.
(Baseline HIV survey among Youth in Bangladesh, NASP, 2015).
 Increase condom use (more than 6.6 million condoms were distributed to the target
group)
 increase care for those with STIs (37,275 received services from DICs)

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 Decrease needle and syringe sharing among drug users (more than 2 million
syringes and 1.3 million extra needles were distributed). (UNAIDS Report on the
global AIDS epidemic 2008).
 Spreading massages through national communication media “Bachte hole jante
hobe, janate hobe”
Conclusion
So, if interventions are not enhanced further, Bangladesh is likely to start with an IDU-
driven epidemic, similar to other neighboring countries, which will then move to other
population groups, including sex workers, males who have sex with males, clients of
sex workers, and ultimately their families. So, both government and the general people
should be aware of the problem and take all actions necessary action to prevent the
epidemic form spreading further. If necessary actions are not taken immediately, it will
be impossible to prevent HIV/AIDS.

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Reference
1. Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey 2010
2. Bangladesh Serological Surveillance Survey 2014
3. Baselin Government of Bangladesh World AIDS Day Report, 2015
4. Government of Bangladesh World AIDS Day Report, 2008
5. HIV Vulnerabilities of Migrant Women from Asia to the Arab States, UNDP 2008
6. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Directorate General of Health Services.
National AIDS/STD Programme.
7. Scholars Journal, 2015
8. Third Stocktaking Report published by four UN agencies, 2014
9. UNAIDS 2008 Report on the Global AIDS epidemic
10. 2008 UNGASS country progress report—Bangladesh; reporting period: January
2006-December 2007.