HIV rate among IDUs alarming

"There is close to a concentrated epidemic among IDUs, with rates in central Bangladesh having risen from 1.4 per cent to 4.9 per cent since 1999, with a rate as high as 8.9 per cent in one neighbourhood of Dhaka," says a news release of the donor agency, quoting a survey.

According to the serological survey conducted from 2004 to 2005, 44 per cent of female IDUs, who are also sex workers, have a higher prevalence of syphilis that amounts to 9.2 per cent prevalence compared with 2.9 per cent among male IDUs.

The survey also figured out some factors active behind the appalling increase of this deadly disease. The reasons include existence of significant number of 'hidden sex industries', low levels of condom use among the commercial sex workers and the clients as well and high rate of using intravenous drugs.

The government has taken a number of active measures to prevent the spread of AIDS in the country. World Bank and DFID-supported HIV/AIDS Prevention Project (HAPP) is one, it noted.

The project objectives are to control the spread of HIV infection within high-risk groups and limit its spread to general population without stigmatising the high-risk groups.

The HAPP has four prime components, which incorporates High Risk Interventions, Communications and Advocacy, Blood Safety, Project Support and Institutional Strengthening.