What You Need to Know About HIV

HIV is an abbreviation for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome or AIDS as it is generally called, is the result of this virus. When a person has AIDS, the immune system gradually break downs. The patient then becomes highly susceptible to infections and illnesses, which could even, be fatal. History dates its origin to June 5th 1981 in Los Angeles where the virus was found in five homosexual men. It was then called GRID or Gay-Related Immune Deficiency because people thought it only affected homosexual people. This theory was soon blown to pieces when cases were reported from all over. Today, AIDS has reached epidemic proportions. It has plagued most countries around the world and is considered a highly dangerous disease.

To gain a better understanding of HIV, we must first explore how it is transmitted.

a. HIV is a sexually transmitted disease. What does this mean? The mucous membrane lines different parts of the body such as the lips, genital areas, nostrils etc. When the mucous membrane comes in contact with sexual secretions of an infected HIV patient, the virus transfers from one to another. This is why the main cause for the spread of AIDS is unprotected sexual intercourse.

b. HIV is also transmitted through infected blood. Therefore, one has to take extreme precaution when undergoing blood transfusions. It is always advisable to go to a reputed hospital or clinic where infected syringes are not used. Intravenous drug users and hemophiliacs are at high risk to get HIV.

c. HIV can be transmitted from a mother to a child either in the womb, during childbirth or duing breast-feeding. The chances of this happening have been reduced with drugs and other procedures.

Some of the early symptoms include sinusitis, bronchitis, otitis, pharyngitis, weight loss, dry cough, unexplained fatigue, unusual blemishes on the tongue, herpes zoster and oral ulcerations. During the more advanced stages patients may have chronic diarrhea, continuous fever, extreme weight loss, oral hairy leukoplakia and candidiasis and pulmonary tuberculosis.

It is extremely important for people to be tested for HIV. In some communities, partners are required to take the HIV test prior to marriage. This is because it not only affects the infected individual but also can spread to the spouse and the unborn child. It is difficult telling someone you love that you have AIDS. However, is very vital for their health and safety.

Doctors, nurses and Medicare professionals are also exposed to this virus as they deal with syringes and needles on a daily basis. If you have AIDS and if you are looking for a doctor, then do some preliminary research on the doctor before you meet him or her. The doctor should be reliable and must be aware of the nuances of the field. You should choose a doctor who you are comfortable with.

About the author:
James Daugherty reports about the latest HIV news - http://myhivstory.blogspot.com/ on his blog.
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Notes on AIDS and HIV

By David Stanley [ 18/06/2006 ]

In 1981, scientists in the United States and France first recognized the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), which was later discovered to be caused by a virus called the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). HIV breaks down the body's immunity to infections leading to AIDS. The virus can lie hidden in the body for up to 10 years without producing any obvious symptoms or before developing into the AIDS disease, and in the meantime the person can unknowingly infect others. Currently, an estimated 40 million people worldwide are HIV carriers, and three million a year are dying of AIDS.

HIV lives in white blood cells and is present in the sexual fluids of humans. It's difficult to catch and is spread mostly through sexual intercourse, by needle or syringe sharing among intravenous drug users, in blood transfusions, and during pregnancy and birth (if the mother is infected). Using another person's razor blade or having your body pierced or tattooed are also risky, but the HIV virus cannot be transmitted by shaking hands, kissing, cuddling, fondling, sneezing, cooking food, or sharing eating or drinking utensils. One cannot be infected by saliva, sweat, tears, urine, or feces; toilet seats, telephones, swimming pools, or mosquito bites do not cause AIDS. Ostracizing a known AIDS victim is not only immoral but also absurd.

Most blood banks now screen their products for HIV, and you can protect yourself against dirty needles by only allowing an injection if you see the syringe taken out of a fresh unopened pack. The simplest safeguard during sex is the proper use of a latex condom. Unroll the condom onto the erect penis; while withdrawing after ejaculation, hold onto the condom as you come out. Never try to recycle a condom, and pack a supply with you, as it can be a nuisance trying to buy them on short notice.

HIV is spread more often through anal than vaginal sex, because the lining of the rectum is much weaker than that of the vagina, and ordinary condoms sometimes tear when used in anal sex. If you have anal sex, only use extra-strong condoms and special water-based lubricants, since oil, Vaseline, and cream weaken the rubber. During oral sex you must make sure you don't get any semen or menstrual blood in your mouth. A woman runs 10 times the risk of contracting AIDS from a man than the other way around, and the threat is always greater when another sexually transmitted disease (STD) is present.

The very existence of AIDS calls for a basic change in human behavior. No vaccine or drug exists that can prevent or cure AIDS, and because the virus mutates frequently, no remedy may ever be totally effective. Other STDs such as syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, hepatitis B, and herpes are far more common than AIDS and can lead to serious complications such as infertility, but at least they can usually be cured.

You should always practice safe sex to prevent AIDS and other STDs. You never know who is infected or even if you yourself have become infected. It's important to bring the subject up before you start to make love. Make a joke out of it by pulling out a condom and asking your new partner, "Say, do you know what this is?" Or perhaps, "Your condom or mine?" Far from being unromantic or embarrassing, you'll both feel more relaxed with the subject off your minds, and it's much better than worrying afterwards if you might have been infected. The golden rule is safe sex or no sex.

An HIV infection can be detected through a blood test, because the antibodies created by the body to fight off the virus can be seen under a microscope. It takes at least three weeks for the antibodies to be produced and in some cases as long as six months before they can be picked up during a screening test. If you think you may have run a risk, you should discuss the appropriateness of a test with your doctor. It's always better to know if you are infected so as to be able to avoid infecting others, to obtain early treatment of symptoms, and to make realistic plans. If you know someone with AIDS, you should give them all the support you can (there's no danger in such contact unless blood is present).

About the author:
David Stanley is the original author of Lonely Planet guidebooks to Eastern Europe, Cuba, and Canada's Maritime Provinces. His personal collection of Cuba travel photos is on Cuba Pictures.

You have permission to publish this article electronically or in print, free of charge, so long as the byline and resource box are included. Please do not use this article without the byline and resource box. Many thanks!

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Sexually transmitted diseases.The Price of Sexual Freedom

By Anne Wolski [ 30/04/2006 ]

In this modern era, sexual freedom is taken for granted and little is thought of promiscuity as it was in past generations. However, the reality is that this sexual freedom also carries with it the very real threat of sexually transmitted disease. Because not all sexually transmitted diseases are curable, it is essential to take steps to avoid them.

A sexually transmitted disease or STD is actually a combination of several different conditions that are all acquired through sexual intercourse. AIDS, a disease caused by the HIV virus, is the most serious of the sexually transmitted diseases and, despite some progress in recent years, is still incurable and is usually fatal.

Some of the other problematic STDs include syphilis, gonorrhea, genital herpes, and non specific urethritis. There are also a few other diseases such as pubic lice, genital warts, trichomoniasis, and monilia that are classed as STDs but are of a less serious nature.

The incidence of sexually transmitted diseases has increased over time and today there are more recorded cases than at any time in the past three decades. This is because people, especially young people, feel that the use of contraception allows more sexual freedom and has led to a change in the views of sexual behaviour. It is also a fact that this sexual freedom has led to people becoming sexually active at an increasingly younger age. However, not all contraception can stop the spread of infections caught during sexual intercourse.

Syphilis
One of the most serious STDs is syphilis which is highly infectious and, if it remains untreated, can result in death. Even if it is not fatal, the probability of disability is high.

Not only can the syphilis bacteria be contracted during sexual intercourse, but it can also be passed to the unborn child of an infected mother. The baby is then born with a condition known as congenital syphilis. This is quite uncommon in this era as all pregnant women undergo routine blood testing.

The incubation period for syphilis varies. The first symptoms can also vary, thus making early diagnosis difficult. Usually, the first symptom is a painless ulcer around the genital area, the anus, or the mouth. Because this ulcer heals without any medical intervention, the person doesn’t normally do anything about it, thinking that it is nothing important.

If this disease is not treated early, it is likely to result in death. It is therefore essential that, if a person believes he or she may have been in contact with an infected person, that medical advice is obtained immediately.

Gonorrhea
Another serious and very common disease contracted by sexual intercourse is gonorrhea. Often, the female is unaware that she is infected because around eighty percent have no symptoms. Other women suffer from dysuria (pain while urinating) or from lower abdominal pain. This is because it involves the fallopian tubes and can therefore lead to sterility.

The disease is more obvious for the male, resulting in dysuria followed by a discharge from the penis. This occurs within a week of contracting the infection. Gonorrhea in the male is usually confirmed by laboratory testing of the discharge.

A dose of penicillin is the normal treatment for gonorrhea in both male and female sufferers. It is also vital that the person abstain from alcohol and from sexual intercourse for a period of several weeks. Although the treatment relieves the symptoms quickly, it is essential that the person continues to have medical maintenance to ensure that the cure is complete. A responsible person should inform any sexual partners of their infection so that they may be examined and treated if necessary.

NSU
The most common sexually transmitted disease is nonspecific urethritis or NSU which continues to increase at an remarkable rate. Many cases of NSU are caused by the Chlamydia germ but not all. NSU is an inflammation of the urethra and has no identifiable cause.

The primary symptom is a discharge from the penis. This may be nothing more than moistness at the tip of the penis but this can vary. The discharge is different to the discharge in gonorrhea and makes it easier to recognize. There is also pain on urinating.

Genital herpes
Genital herpes, another sexually transmitted disease, has reached epidemic proportions in the Western world. This is because the herpes virus cannot be cured and so, once infected, the person carries the germ permanently. Thus, any person infected adds to the population of carriers.

There are two herpes viruses. The first one, HSV 1, is normally found around the mouth and is known as cold sores. The second one, HSV 2 , is an infection passed by sexual contact and is normally found in the genital area and the anus, as well as on the bladder, the buttocks, the thighs and the legs of both male and female sufferers.

After the first attack the virus lies dormant in the body. It will then recur time and time again, usually in the same place, appearing as a painful blister. When any of these blisters are open, the carrier is extremely infectious. Usually, the attacks are linked to emotional or physical lows such as depression, stress, or injury.

Genital herpes causes pain and distress to an adult but is not fatal. However, if the herpes virus is passed to an infant during its journey down the birth canal of an infected mother, it is often fatal. It is important for the mother to inform the medical professionals so that they can monitor her pregnancy and possibly advise her to have the baby by cesarean section.

Genital herpes cannot be cured but there are ways of making the attacks more bearable. By keeping the affected area clean and dry, the carrier can ward off secondary infections. Pain can be kept to a minimum by the application of cold compresses and also by taking salt baths.

Female sufferers need to have a pap smear annually as genital herpes has been linked to cervical cancer.

In women, vaginal discharge may constitute reasons for concern. However, if the discharge is clear, it is unlikely to be the result of disease. If the discharge is offensive and discolored and causes irritation to the vagina and vulva, it would suggest the presence of infection which may need to be investigated. It is essential that this is not allowed to continue and medical advice should be sought as soon as possible, especially if this is accompanied by abdominal pain and fever as it may be an indication of a sexually transmitted disease.

Prevention
Obviously, the best way to avoid sexually transmitted diseases is by abstinence or monogamy. However, if considering sex with a new partner, it would be wise to use a condom until you are sure about the person. If you are worried, cleaning the genital area thoroughly with soap and water after intercourse will kill many of the bacteria. This is true for both males and females.

It is extremely dangerous to apply antiseptic lotions to the genital area and particularly to pour strong antiseptic into the urethra or vagina as it can cause serious and permanent internal damage.

If you believe there is any possibility that you may have an STD, do not hesitate to seek medical attention. Everything that happens is confidential and no information is given to anyone without your permission.

Remember that the staff are there to help you, not to judge you, and the atmosphere is usually very friendly and helpful.

About the author:
Anne Wolski has worked in the health and welfare industry for more than 30 years. She is a co-director of http://www.magnetic-health-online.com and http://www.betterhealthshoppe.com which are both information portals with many interesting medical articles. She is also an associate of http://www.timzbiz.com which features many articles on internet marketing and resources.

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My Cure Theory for HIV - AIDs

By leo le [ 12/01/2006 ]

My Cure Theory

HIV has many different strands or forms making it almost impossible to find an efficient answer for vaccination. Over in other countries (Asia and Africa to name a few) where there is prostitution, scientists have discovered that prostitutes have become immune to the virus in a couple different ways. Scientists have discovered that the immune system of prostitutes has found a way to fight the virus. How could this be? HIV is being stopped in its tracks from becoming Aids. Is the virus, HIV fighting against different strands or forms of itself? Think about it. You have different strands of the virus, meaning several different partners with different types of strands of HIV. You have a prostitute with one type of strand (the control patient). The resultant different strands introduced to a control patient with one strand equals different outcomes. After years of research and billions of dollars in funding, ironically, sexually, prostitution has found a key to fighting Aids. There are no known cures for viruses or even for the common cold. But figuratively speaking why try so hard to fight an enemy, when you can use an enemy against themselves. With the discovery of different strands and forms of viruses, is there a possible way we can use a virus against itself? Bottom line is that sometimes finding a cure for something can seem almost impossible but fighting fire with fire can result in the ultimate answer. Keep in mind with every new idea or answer arises many questions for the long term outcome. Our answers to life may give us new hope but may also be our ultimate downfall. I wrote this just to get a professional medical research opinion. This virus has been around for ages and needs to be stopped like all other bad diseases and viruses. I just wanted to post my idea in good faith to help find a cure.

About the author:

Article written by Nghiep Khuu “Leo Le” on Sunday, December 18, 2005. Updated today 1/12/06.

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Sexually transmitted diseases (STD) guide

Sexually transmitted diseases are escalating nowadays when more people have started entering into multiple sexual relationships. They might not consider this ethically wrong but the fact remains that such people are more prone to sexual diseases. However, if unfortunately one gets infected by any such disease, it is better to start ailment as soon as possible for these diseases have the potential to ruin your entire life. People often are embarrassed and scared to disclose their problem to others even to their friends but they fail to realize that delaying diagnose is compromising with their life. Thus, as soon as you fear a sexually transmitted infection, approach a doctor.

This article informs the readers about certain primary STDs and their symptoms.

1. AIDS and HIV

• Transmitted through- AIDS and HIV are two more or les related diseases. The HIV stands for the ‘human immunodeficiency virus’ and the disease that spreads through it is known as AIDS i.e. ‘acquired immune deficiency syndrome’. HIV travels through blood. It can be transmitted from one HIV positive person to his partner through sex. It can also pass on from the HIV positive mother to her child through infected breast milk and even from an infected syringe or other equipments that come into contact with the blood of the HIV positive to any other individual who is treated with the same devices.

• Symptoms- weak immune system and susceptible to more infections than usual. HIV gets translated to AIDS when the HIV patient acquires a particular indicative illness.

• Preventive Measures- not much available yet. But avoid taking drugs. Maintain hygiene.

2. Chlamydia-

• Infected via- the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis is the cause of this infection. Once this bacterium enters the individual’s body it affects his mucous membranes, eyelids and even reproductive tissues.

• Symptoms- the symptoms Chlamydia often confused with another similar STD called Gonorrhea and even with Conjunctivitis due to eyelid infection. The common symptoms to this disease are pain during sex, burning and abnormal discharge. Chlamydia can be without any typical indications also

• Prevention- the disease is curable. As a precautionary measure one should maintain hygiene during sex and get medical check up done in order to avoid infection.

3. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease- usually women are afflicted by this disease. It is a an infection in the upper genital tract and reproductive organs including ovaries, uterus and fallopian tubes.

• Spreads through- Chlamydia and Gonorrhea are the two STDs that are most often responsible for this disease. Women between 15 to 25 years of age are more prone to be infected by it. Excess douching can also lead to PID for it cleanses the naturally beneficial bacteria from the women’s vagina.

• Symptoms- When ailing PID, women might experience pain during intercourse, burning and even fever.

• Precautions and Cures- antibiotics are useful to cure PID. But it is recommended to get frequent check ups done and in case the disease is discovered medicines and proper treatment should commence the very moment for PID can be unexpectedly harmful in later stages.

4. Gonorrhea- infects the individual’s sensitive tissues of reproductive system.

• An individual can acquire this disease through all types of sexual contacts like oral sex.

• Indications- the indicators to Gonorrhea are very few which makes it all the more difficult to adjudicate it and so stop it from being transmitted from one to the other person through sex. Symptoms are akin to Chlamydia so the two diseases are liable to be confused with each other. A person suffering from Gonorrhea experiences unusual discharge, burning, pain during sexual activity, swelling, fever and other infections like women may have bleeding between periods.

• Remedies and Safety- treatment should commence in initial stages to cure Gonorrhea. Those who are pretty active in their sexual life should get check ups done on a regular basis to be on a safer side.

Apart from these there are several other STDs not discussed here like Hepatitis, Scabies, Herpes, Syphilis, HPV etc. which are most common in ones. It is better to acquire information about them once you are sexually active and consult a gynecologist every now and then to avert from all kinds of STDs.

About the author:
Mansi gupta writes about sexually transmitted diseases Learn more at http://www.treatyourstd.com

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TGP can help to prevent HIV-AIDS

TGP can help to prevent HIV/AIDS
- Mohammad Khairul Alam -
- HIV/AIDS programme Consultant -

Now a day AIDS is increasing all over the world in an enormous position. No country could face it successfully. It turns very unique position in some countries of Africa like Uganda, Gayer, Cambodia, and Sub Sahara region etc. East Asian some countries are also affected by this. In South Asian country like India is the second largest country in the world for HIV/ AIDS. There are 5.1 million people carry or suffer of this. It will be the main reason of our country for vulnerable of HIV/ AIDS. Because we have to depend in various reason of that country. Mainly our internal Business fully depends on it. Such there many way we bound to go India. Burma is another neighbor country is already a large number affected in here. AIDS surveillance specialist Mr. Parvage Shajjad Mollik said, “There are so many cultural values and socio economical systems are responsible for this increasing like this dieses, poverty and illiteracy is also responsible for this increasing. This indicator is not fully responsible but it helps to change behavior on so that. So if we want to prevent of this at first we have to emphasize to try to change sexual behavior. We did success to find out our vulnerable target groups and why they become vulnerable”.

HIV/ AIDS is a sexual disease, but it is deferent from other sexual transmission disease (STDs, STI). Other STDs have proper medicine and these diseases don’t create cause of die, but AIDS is very dangerous, there are no any alternative way to survive after it infection, it can end of life. We find out first vulnerable group in Bangladesh is injection drug user (IDUs) and second is professional sex worker. There are many reason every year are increasing IDUs all over in Bangladesh. It easy to get in every location in Bangladesh and chipper than other is the main reason for this; other reasons are political and socio-economical frustrations. Last year 4th surveillance report was about 4% IDUs are infected with HIV/AIDS all over in Bangladesh, but after one year we see the one area of Dhaka City this raise to 8.9%, this report we get from 5th surveillance survey. This ratio will be clouded in our social norm and can help to hamper our economical condition. Our country is very poor so we are not able to face a large number of patients like this disease.

So we have to take necessary steps to prevent it’s increasing. We need several level of advocacy champing to build up awareness of HIV/AIDS. We need to encourage gender/ reproductive health education, which not only prevent HIV/AIDS but also help to prevent others STDs/STI (Sexual Transmission Disease). We can influence our government education authority to include about HIV/AIDS details our primary and secondary level’s curriculum.

Gender education is essential in our country’s adolescent boys & girls. This education can play a vital role of empowerment our illiterate society. It can help to develop our adolescent into a proper knowledge. Religious superstition & fundamentalism prevents to get such kind of education from their childhood. But this knowledge is very important for mental & physical development, it can help their social interaction, social behavior, reproductive health & sanitation, sexual behavior, to able to adopt all kinds of social change, to awareness them of their rights etc. Individually lack of knowledge these one can create other problems.

We also increase peer educator for professional sex worker, peer educator means a group of person or individual who are take from target group or brothel to give them proper training. After training they can able to awareness others.

We need to take TGP (Target Group Promoter) strategy for residence or other sex worker. It is very affected for residence sex workers or hidden sex workers. TGP is a newly invention idea (Proved by Rainbow Nari O Shishu Kallyan Foundation) which help to prevent HIV/AIDS. TGP is a one kind of source/ broker/ sealer (Called in Bengali is Dalal), who collects clients/ customers for residence sex workers; they encourage people to buy sex. Without TGP (Their nominated source) the residence sex worker doesn’t allow any new client. TGP will play a vital roll in our action. Residence Sex Workers (RSW) lives together three to ten in a house. They continue their business under a Guidance or Governance or a Teem Leader (is called Sharderni in Bengali). These teem leaders communicate with some local people, who help them by delivering customer or client, these people is called source (in Bengali called Dalal). They depend on each other. Some times those sources shelter them from local unexpected situation or from police harassment. If we could continue this action then TGP will play very important role. Because residence sex workers don’t stay long time in a house, they change their house after three to six months, but they always keep contact with their source (TGP) for continuing their business. For this reasons TGP is very important programme.

In some areas a group of drug user uses one syringe when they take drug. It is very dangerous for increasing HIV/AIDS. So we should try to alert them, and give advice them two or more drug user don’t use drug by a one syringe.

Mohammad Khairul Alam
HIV/AIDS programme Consultant

Rainbow Nari O Shishu Kallyan Foundation
24/3. M. C. Roy Lane
Nowbabgonj- Section
Dhaka-1211Bangladesh
http://www.plusbangla.com/
Rainbowngo@gmail.com

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Drug Users are Vulnerable for STDs-STI in Bangladesh

Drug Users are Vulnerable for STDs/STI in Bangladesh

Mohammad Khairul Alam

HIV/AIDS Programmme Consultant

The over all HIV/AIDS epidemics situation is low in Bangladesh. But it is increasing very high in some heterogeneous group who are actually vulnerable of HIV/AIDS. HIV/AIDS spread out very quickly in all over the population. There are many ways in Bangladesh to HIV/AIDS increasing issue.

The cause of poverty, gender discrimination, low prevalence of health facility, lack of reproductively knowledge, illiteracy and high risky behavior may be called epidemic in future of Bangladesh. The atmosphere, which is needed to spread HIV as epidemic of HIV/AIDS, those are present in Bangladesh.

It seems that there are three issues that are appearing to play a crucial position in HIV transmission in Bangladesh: female sex work substance use, Intravenous drug use, professional blood donor and mobility. Female sex workers and their clients have been a major factor in the heterosexual transmission of HIV. Separate but unstable epidemics have been seen in some IDU populations in Dhaka city. And mobile populations, particularly at national borders are at higher risk of HIV acquisition due to the fact of being away from home, community and the anonymity and loneliness of traveling. The following three segments focus on the monitoring of the HIV epidemic in these vulnerable populations.

Commercial/Professional sex workers operate in all over the country. But it is important to know how large the sex-worker population may be to adequately interpret surveillance results. It is hypothetical that in some region, rapid increases in the absolute numbers of sex workers have resulted from significant political, social or economic changes. The nature of sex work and the profile of sex workers vary enormously within and between countries. There are most female sex workers, and those that work full-time, part-time or seasonally. Sex workers may operate in variety of settings such as brothels, riverbanks, bars, parks, under contraction buildings, street corners, hotels, etc. Sex work does not consider in Bangladesh, expect 14 reported brothels. Some HIV/AIDS or social workers suspected that brothel sex worker in Bangladesh is limited, near about 35,000 to 45,000, but other category sex workers is no countable, it is suspected more then 1,00,000. Dhaka city, for example, has approximately 5,000-15,000 female sex workers--an estimate (Source: Rainbow Nari O Shishu Kallyan Foundation). In most Cities, however, validated estimates of the numbers of sex workers are almost non-existent.

All estimates require regular updating and validation but these two approaches are worthy of repetition in other settings. Neither method can work without the trust and involvement of commercial sex workers themselves. Frequency of exposure to HIV infection through sexual intercourse is the key factor for transmission of HIV among sex workers. For example, there are many countries; a significant proportion of sex workers is infected with HIV. The rates might vary from less than 1 percent to 40 percent or higher in some settings.

Even where HIV infection has not yet increase extensively, STD infection is often very high among sex workers. For example, in one brothel area in Bangladesh, 95 percent of 466 sex workers tested positive to antibodies for genital herpes virus and 60 percent for syphilis, although HIV was not detected among any of them. With the sequence of the epidemic, HIV tends to increase where other STDs are present.

There are many aspects to the nexus of drug use and HIV infection, In most of Bangladesh, people who choose to use drugs (Smoking-drug, morphia, heroin, hashish, Medicare-drug some kinds of sleeping pill, cold syrup, injections etc) that are not all socially sanctioned are treated as entirely outside society, enemies even of the social structure. The factor of Injection/ intravenous Drug Users (IDUs), which is directly can influence of HIV/AIDS, STDs/STI. For the majority of injecting drug users (IDUs), it means that lip-service is paid to the principles supposedly learned through the course of the epidemic: in relation to IDUs and the risks of HIV transmission, issues such as human rights, peer education, community participation, and legal and social change are unachievable fictions.

Besides, better estimation of populations at risk (i.e., those currently injecting drugs, or sex partners of IDUs and populations coming to be at risk), and a better understanding of the dynamics of drug utilization and social association of drug use are all necessary for targeting interventions efficiently.

Populations in Bangladesh are moving across land and sea borders in increasing numbers. International trade supports this growth in population mobility, international border between India and Bangladesh, more than 500 trucks come daily. Also occurring in Bangladesh are high levels of maritime trade, and seamen on fishing vessels travel widely in the region, enabling the transmission of HIV to populations in areas where the virus was previously unfamiliar.

Crossing land or sea borders often requires overnight stays, leaving the individual with idle time and opportunities to visit drinking and gambling establishments and brothels. HIV surveillance data for female sex workers, male STD clinic patients and young males at two sea ports – Cittagong & Mongla --show a clustering of high prevalence sites.

About the author:

Rainbow Nari O Shishu Kallyan Foundation

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AIDS and women in the world

AIDS and women in the world

Al-Haz Dr. M. A. Matin
Senior Section Officer
Institute of Social welfare & Research
Dhaka University

Women are in nature more vulnerable than men to HIV infection. “Rainbow Nari O Shishu Kallyan Foundation” have found that male to female transmission appears to be 2 to 4 times more efficient than female to male transmission, in part because semen contains a far higher concentration of HIV than vaginal fluid. Adolescent girls are predominantly vulnerable. Their immature cervixes and low vaginal mucus production presents less of a barrier to HIV infection.

The developing world is now bearing the full brunt of the human immune- deficiency virus (HIV) epidemic. More than 90 per cent of new infections are in developing countries and the virus has spread to most areas. In many areas of sub-Saharan Africa, where infection has been prevalent for a decade or more, HIV has already become the leading cause of adult illness and death. Similarly profound changes in patterns of disease and death are likely in those regions of Asia and Latin America where the virus has more recently become epidemic.

Most parts of the world have reported cases of HIV infection and AIDS. Although Sub Saharan Africa is the worst affected region, containing perhaps three-quarters of all cases, the virus is now spreading most rapidly in India and South-East Asia. Heterosexual and vertical transmission of the virus has resulted in its wide distribution in the general population, in sexually active adults and adolescent.

The economic, gender discrimination, social and physical right imbalance between men and women contributes to the lack of safety in sexual relationships and the difficulty for many women in negotiating safer sex. To do so may have serious repercussions, ranging from stigma to fear of violence or desertion.

The right differential between men and women is compounded by age differences. Women naturally marry or have sex with older men, who have been sexually dynamic longer and are more possible to have become infected. Men are also beginning to seek younger sexual partners believing that these girls are less likely to be infected with HIV.

The majority infections take place in infants or young children and adolescent, sexually active adults. Women tend to become infected an average of 5 to 10 years earlier than men. Women also have a higher risk of acquiring infection which may, in East Africa, be from 1.2 to 1.5 times greater in females than males. Most adults who die are economically active and have many dependants. Major social and economic problems are emerging: orphans, changes in the dependency ratio, loss of skilled and unskilled labor.

Women are vulnerable to coerced sex, including rape and other sexual abuse - within and outside the family - and forced sex work. Any non-consensual or coerced penetrative sex can carry an increased risk of HIV transmission, particularly as men are not likely to use condoms in these situations.

Subordination in education, employment, social and legal status makes women more vulnerable to HIV/AIDS. Women who have limited access to financial resources are more likely to become economically dependent on men, relegated to the subsistence sector or forced into commercial sex work.

About the author:
Rainbow Nari O Shishu Kallyan Foundation
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The HIV-AIDS epidemic has been fuelled by gender inequality

Mohammad Khairul AlamHIV/AIDS Programmme Consultant

Worldwide, rates of sexually transmitted infections among young people are soaring: one-third of the 340 million new STIs each year occur in people under 25 years of age. Each year, more than one in every 20 adolescents contracts a curable STI. More than half of all new HIV infections occur in people between the ages of 15 to 24 years. The sexual health needs for adolescent girls are generally overlooked, Stigma and vulnerability affects particular groups of men as well as women. Although men generally have more access to information on sexual issues than women, and more decision-making power regarding sexual behavior, Access to information, and treatment for other infections which facilitate the transmission of HIV and onset of AIDS, including sexually transmitted infections, are limited because of weak public health services, health workers’ negative attitudes, and the high cost of treatment.

If the adolescents are informed and thought about their sexual and reproductive health, they might take the decisions about it independently. But the physiological, behavioral and social factors that make adolescents more vulnerable than adults to STDs/STI. Seeing that girls have a large mucosal surface area exposed to infection and have not yet developed mature mucosal defence systems, the cells that line the opening of the cervix are particularly susceptible to chlamydia, gonorrhoea and HIV.

Social powerlessness, poverty and economic dependence contribute to the vulnerability of adolescent girls. The HIV/AIDS epidemic has been fuelled by gender inequality. Unequal power relations, sexual coercion and violence is a widespread phenomenon faced by women of all age-groups, and has an array of negative effects on female sexual, physical and mental health. HIV/AIDS infection reveals the disastrous effects of discrimination against women on human health, and on the socio-economic structure of society.

Usually, girls do not have the same educational and employment opportunities as boys, and they face family and societal forces for early marriage and childbearing. Early marriage and early childbearing are the norm in Bangladesh, although age at marriage is rising in all the countries mentioned. Finally, there is evidence that an increasing proportion of unmarried adolescents are sexually active.

Now a day, age at marriage is increasing, and this raises its own issues and concerns. Sometimes Later marriage increases premarital sex. Sex outside marriage is normally considered immoral and adolescents who engage in it particularly girls are strongly condemned.

In many societies, people from groups associated with high incidences of HIV infection – including injecting drug users, men who have sex with men, and commercial sex workers are subjected to a culture of fear and punishment when their HIV status is suspected.

Source: Rainbow Nari O Shishu Kallyan Foundation

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Source: Rainbow Nari O Shishu Kallyan Foundation
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Social Cultural and economic forces make women more likely to contract HIV infection than men

Mohammad Khariul AlamHIV/AIDS Programmme Consultant

The view of poor & developing countries, In generally we found that women & adolescent girls are more vulnerable to HIV infection on each sexual encounter because of the biological nature of the process and the vulnerability of the reproductive tract tissues to the virus, especially in adolescent girls. For example, young women are generally disadvantaged by gender disparities. In terms of food intake, access to health care and growth patterns, girls are often worse off than boys. The inequalities become evident soon after birth, and by adolescence many girls are grossly underweight. Social Cultural and economic forces make women more likely to contract HIV infection than men. Women are often less able to negotiate for safer sex due to reasons such as their lower status, economic dependence and fear of violence, adolescent girls in the countries.

Adolescents in poor families often do not have the option to make real choices about their sexual and reproductive lives, such as when and whom to marry, whether and when to have children and how many to have, and whether to use contraceptives. Women tend to marry very young: nearly two thirds of adolescents in most South Asian countries marry before 18 years of age, and many even before 15 years, despite laws exclusion such early marriage.

In many poor regions, Women’s limited economic opportunity, and relative powerlessness, may force them into sex work in order to survive with household financial disaster. This exposes them to HIV infection and they in turn will transmit HIV to their clients. In those areas girls are particularly vulnerable to HIV infection, because of intergenerational sexual relationships, violence, and limited access to information. In addition, discrimination and stigma obstruct adolescent girls’ access to health services. Poverty causes increased migration to look for work.

Gender analysis, in relation to HIV/AIDS, has tended to focus on women of reproductive age, and infrequently on young girls, because Young women and girls are increasingly being targeted for sex by older men seeking safe partners and also by those who erroneously believe that a man infected with HIV/AIDS will get rid of the disease by having sex with a virgin. So HIV/AIDS epidemic has been fuelled by gender inequality or discrimination. Unequal power relations, sexual coercion and violence is a widespread phenomenon faced by women of all age-groups, and has an array of negative effects on female sexual, physical and mental health.

In many developing countries, poverty, and gender discrimination between women and men, are both strongly linked to the spread of HIV/AIDS. Gender and age analysis shows the ways in which women and girls of different ages are vulnerable to the infection, and in require of support to allow the survivors to overcome the financial and social effects of the epidemic. In responding to HIV/AIDS and poverty alleviation approaching are interconnected. Therefore health and development workers should work on holistic policies and programmes to reduce poverty and address HIV/AIDS, and Emphasize the need for special efforts to be made to protect women and girls exposed to the risk of HIV/AIDS. Ensure that the legal, civil and human rights of those affected and infected are protected and that women have access to treatment, counselling and support on an equal footing with men.

Source: Rainbow Nari O Shishu Kallyan Foundation

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Source: Rainbow Nari O Shishu Kallyan Foundation
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Female Sex Workers are vulnerable for HIV-AIDS in Bangladesh

Female Sex Workers are vulnerable for HIV/AIDS in Bangladesh,

Mohammad Khairul AlamHIV/AIDS Programmme Consultant

The over all HIV/AIDS epidemics situation is low in Bangladesh. But it is increasing very high in some heterogeneous group who are actually vulnerable of HIV/AIDS. HIV/AIDS spread out very quickly in all over the population. There are many ways in Bangladesh to HIV/AIDS increasing issue.

The cause of poverty, gender discrimination, low prevalence of health facility, lack of reproductively knowledge, illiteracy and high risky behavior may be called epidemic in future of Bangladesh. The atmosphere, which is needed to spread HIV as epidemic of HIV/AIDS, those are present in Bangladesh.

It seems that there are three issues that are appearing to play a crucial position in HIV transmission in Bangladesh: female sex work substance use, Intravenous drug use, professional blood donor and mobility. Female sex workers and their clients have been a major factor in the heterosexual transmission of HIV. Separate but unstable epidemics have been seen in some IDU populations in Dhaka city. And mobile populations, particularly at national borders are at higher risk of HIV acquisition due to the fact of being away from home, community and the anonymity and loneliness of traveling. The following three segments focus on the monitoring of the HIV epidemic in these vulnerable populations.

Commercial/Professional sex workers operate in all over the country. But it is important to know how large the sex-worker population may be to adequately interpret surveillance results. It is hypothetical that in some region, rapid increases in the absolute numbers of sex workers have resulted from significant political, social or economic changes. The nature of sex work and the profile of sex workers vary enormously within and between countries. There are most female sex workers, and those that work full-time, part-time or seasonally. Sex workers may operate in variety of settings such as brothels, riverbanks, bars, parks, under contraction buildings, street corners, hotels, etc. Sex work does not consider in Bangladesh, expect 14 reported brothels. Some HIV/AIDS or social workers suspected that brothel sex worker in Bangladesh is limited, near about 35,000 to 45,000, but other category sex workers is no countable, it is suspected more then 1,00,000. Dhaka city, for example, has approximately 5,000-15,000 female sex workers--an estimate (Source: Rainbow Nari O Shishu Kallyan Foundation). In most Cities, however, validated estimates of the numbers of sex workers are almost non-existent.

All estimates require regular updating and validation but these two approaches are worthy of repetition in other settings. Neither method can work without the trust and involvement of commercial sex workers themselves. Frequency of exposure to HIV infection through sexual intercourse is the key factor for transmission of HIV among sex workers. For example, there are many countries; a significant proportion of sex workers is infected with HIV. The rates might vary from less than 1 percent to 40 percent or higher in some settings.

Even where HIV infection has not yet increase extensively, STD infection is often very high among sex workers. For example, in one brothel area in Bangladesh, 95 percent of 466 sex workers tested positive to antibodies for genital herpes virus and 60 percent for syphilis, although HIV was not detected among any of them. With the sequence of the epidemic, HIV tends to increase where other STDs are present.

There are many aspects to the nexus of drug use and HIV infection, In most of Bangladesh, people who choose to use drugs (Smoking-drug, morphia, heroin, hashish, Medicare-drug some kinds of sleeping pill, cold syrup, injections etc) that are not all socially sanctioned are treated as entirely outside society, enemies even of the social structure. The factor of Injection/ intravenous Drug Users (IDUs), which is directly can influence of HIV/AIDS, STDs/STI. For the majority of injecting drug users (IDUs), it means that lip-service is paid to the principles supposedly learned through the course of the epidemic: in relation to IDUs and the risks of HIV transmission, issues such as human rights, peer education, community participation, and legal and social change are unachievable fictions.

Besides, better estimation of populations at risk (i.e., those currently injecting drugs, or sex partners of IDUs and populations coming to be at risk), and a better understanding of the dynamics of drug utilization and social association of drug use are all necessary for targeting interventions efficiently.

Populations in Bangladesh are moving across land and sea borders in increasing numbers. International trade supports this growth in population mobility, international border between India and Bangladesh, more than 500 trucks come daily. Also occurring in Bangladesh are high levels of maritime trade, and seamen on fishing vessels travel widely in the region, enabling the transmission of HIV to populations in areas where the virus was previously unfamiliar.

Crossing land or sea borders often requires overnight stays, leaving the individual with idle time and opportunities to visit drinking and gambling establishments and brothels. HIV surveillance data for female sex workers, male STD clinic patients and young males at two sea ports – Cittagong & Mongla --show a clustering of high prevalence sites.

Source: Rainbow Nari O Shishu Kallyan Foundation

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female sex workers in Bangladesh

female sex workers in Bangladesh-Mohammad Khairul Alam

Although Bangladesh continues to be a low prevalence area, it is surrounded by high prevalence countries (High prevalence of HIV/AIDS in neighboring India). We however must not adopt a complacent attitude in respect as our country has all the determinants for an explosive outbreak of HIV/AIDS epidemic. Curses of poverty, illiteracy, ignorance, proximity of Bangladesh to the so-called 'Golden Triangle' & high prevalence of STDs, make our country seriously vulnerable. Drug use increases the HIV risk and can start very early-for example, glue-sniffing by youngsters living or working on the streets. The danger of becoming infected with HIV by sharing injecting equipment is well known, and real. Unemployment, slum housing, family fragility, frequent cross-border movement of people, lack of information, unsafe blood transfusion, physical and sexual abuse-that create a "risk environment" of violence for many young people in the region. In addition increased number of migrant workers, unsafe practice in health service, unsafe sex practice etc. movement of population, less use of condom, polygamy, homosexuality, extra-marital relations, further increases the susceptibility.

In Bangladesh, the intravenous drug users (IDU) are the most potential carriers of HIV/AIDS among the vulnerable groups in the country. The fourth round of national HIV and behavioural surveillance report showed that the HIV infection rate among the injection drug users (IDUs) is now 4 per cent, up from 2.5 per cent previously which is just short of the 5 per cent mark of a concentrated epidemic. About 93.4 per cent IDUs in central Bangladesh admitted that they share same syringe while taking drugs. Even they use the same syringe several times for taking drug.

UNCDP estimates that between 500,000 and 1,00,000 people in Bangladesh are addicted to drugs. Although HIV rates are comparatively lower (one per cent) among the sex workers but Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) rates are still quite high (20 per cent) among this group.

On the other hand, brothel-based female sex workers in Bangladesh report the highest turnover of clients than anywhere in Asia (an average of 18.8 clients per week). Meanwhile, most of the people of country are unaware about the deadly disease. The 1999-2000 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey found that only 31 per cent of married women and 50 per cent of newly married men had heard of AIDS. Over 90 per cent of rickshaw pullers could not identify a single method of HIV prevention.

About 13,000 to 17,000 people are living with the incurable virus in Bangladesh, according to the UNAIDS report 2001.

According to the National AIDS Committee and surveillance team members and experts, the rate is quite alarming as it remains one per cent less than the highest five per cent HIV epidemic index. The rate of HIV/AIDS remains less than one per cent among the other vulnerable groups -- truckers, migrant workers, gay, hijras (hermaphrodites), professional blood donors, heroin smokers and, hotel, brothel and street based commercial sex workers.

Bangladesh is bordered with India, the second largest HIV infected country in the world; the country is therefore at high risk for the HIV epidemic, said Morten Giersing, UNICEF's country representative.

About the author:
Rainbow Nari O Shishu Kallyan Foundation
24/3. M. C. Roy Lane
Nowbabgonj- Section
Dhaka-1211Bangladesh
http://www.plusbangla.comRainbowngo@gmail.com
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Geographical location of Bangladesh and vulnerability to AIDS

Geographical location of Bangladesh and vulnerability to AIDS-Mohammad Khairul Alam

Bangladesh, with a population of 136 million, had about 13,000 adults and children living with HIV infection at the end 2002, according to UNAIDS estimates. However, only 248 HIV cases have actually been reported. Significant underreporting of cases occurs because of the country's limited voluntary testing and counseling capacity and the social stigma, which leads to the fear of being identified and detected as HIV positive.

The HIV-prevalence rate among adults between the ages of 15 and 49 is still relatively low, at 0.1 percent of the population. As expected, rates are higher in specific groups, such as injecting drug users who have left treatment (1.7 percent) and commercial sex workers (0.5 percent), according to a national behavioral and serological surveillance undertaken in 2001.

Although overall HIV prevalence is low, behavior patterns and extensive risk factors that facilitate the rapid spread of the infection are prevalent, making Bangladesh highly vulnerable to an HIV/AIDS epidemic. These risk factors are gender discrimination, A large commercial sex worker/ brothel sex worker, a large number of hidden/residence sex worker, Lack of basic sexual knowledge, Lack of proper knowledge of sexually transmitted diseases(STDs/STI) etc.

There are fourteen government reputed brothel in Bangladesh, where roughly 40,000 sex workers live in there, the number of per sex worker’s client/customer is 18.8 per week, and 44 clients per week for hotel-based workers. And non countable client meet to residence sex workers or street sex worker, who are very vulnerable for HIV/AIDS. Significant prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among sex workers in Central Bangladesh. About 43 percent of female sex workers and 18.2 percent of male sex workers have syphilis. This and other STDs facilitate the spread of HIV infection and serve as indicators for low condom use and other high risk sexual behaviors. The majority of brothel-based sex workers report at least some sex without condoms with their clients. Among the clients, such as rickshaw pullers and truck drivers, about 83 percent have never used condoms when buying sex.

Now a day Injection Drug Users are increasing all over in Bangladesh. In Central Bangladesh, among 93.4 percent of over 500 injecting drug users, needle sharing is routine. These drug injectors are not an isolated population—they are often married and sometimes sell sex to customers and their own blood to hospitals and clinics.

Lack of knowledge may be creating most problems for Bangladesh of HIV/AIDS epidemic in future. While knowledge of HIV is nearly universal among sex workers and their clients, it is extremely low among the general population. In 1996-97, only 19 percent of women who have been married and 33 percent of men had ever heard of AIDS. In 2001, many still could not identify the basic routes of HIV transmission.

By keeping South Africa outside, India has the largest number of people living with HIV, estimated at 5.1 million (range: 2.5 million – 8.5 million) in 2003. Most infections are acquired sexually, but injecting drug use is playing a bigger role than previously thought. It is also a great threat for Bangladesh, because every day a large number of people are going to India for various reasons. Bangladesh has twenty custom and immigration point in the border with India, and Indian track crosses of this border every day with loaded goods. But Indian track drivers are highly infected HIV/AIDS. So it is also creating the scope of scattering HIV/AIDS in Bangladesh.

About the author:
Rainbow Nari O Shishu Kallyan Foundation
24/3. M. C. Roy Lane
Nowbabgonj- Section
Dhaka-1211Bangladesh
http://www.plusbangla.comRainbowngo@gmail.com
Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com