In Focus: USAID Works to Prevent HIV/AIDS Epidemic in Bangladesh

Production still from adolescent reproductive health video series, "Know Yourself" ("Nijeke Jana"). Photo: Bangladesh Center for Communications Programs (BCCP)

While Bangladesh has a low rate of HIV/AIDS prevalence, it is on the brink of an epidemic. Without major changes in behavior and an increase in knowledge about HIV/AIDS, the illness could spread rapidly among at-risk populations. Soon it could affect the general population as well.

In Bangladesh, more than 90 percent of injection drug users share needles and syringes. Commercial sex is widespread, and condom use among female sex workers is the lowest in Asia.

Sharing of needles among injection drug users is one of the most effective ways to transmit HIV. The increase in the virus among drug users is considered the first crack in the wall separating Bangladesh from epidemics in neighboring countries.

Fighting the spread of HIV/AIDS
USAID educates injection drug users, commercial sex workers, men who have sex with men, and others who are at risk about how HIV is spread. USAID also supports activities to educate the general public and contain the virus. Its partners in this work are organizations such as Family Health International (FHI) and the Bangladesh Center for Communications Program (BCCP).

Working with Those Most Vulnerable to HIV
FHI focuses on people most vulnerable to HIV by promoting condoms, training peer educators and emphasizing the management of sexually transmitted diseases. Through the peer education programs, a select group of commercial sex workers receive training on HIV/AIDS prevention. In addition to helping curb the spread of AIDS, the peer education programs builds the self-esteem of those who once had little pride or hope for their future.

Educating Youth about HIV/AIDS
USAID and BCCP educate young people on HIV/AIDS. They use a multi-pronged strategy focusing on mass media, publications, and community-based programs. A major part of their approach is “Know Yourself”, a series of videos, booklets and facilitator guides for teaching adolescents about their own reproductive health. The series focuses on family planning, life skills, delaying sex and marriage and substance abuse. Adolescents played an active role in developing each piece.

"We are focusing on HIV/AIDS outreach to adolescents because we want to reach them early, to have more educated adults," said Mohammad Shahjahan, Director and CEO of BCCP.

Swift and Decisive Action Needed
Through education programs focusing on the high-risk populations and young adults, USAID and its partners hope to avert the impending HIV epidemic. "We must change the perception that the low prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Bangladesh is a sign that the country is not at risk," said Charles Llewellyn, Team Leader for Public Health and Nutrition, USAID/Bangladesh. "All the high-risk elements are in place to evolve into an epidemic. We need to continue to act decisively and aggressively to help the country contain the disease, before it's too late."

Learn more about USAID/Bangladesh's population and health programs.