The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #62558

Ismat Bhuiya, MSc MPH¹, M. E. Khan, PhD², Ubaidur Rob, Ph D², and Laila Rahman, MCom¹. (1) Bangladesh Country Office, Population Council, House # CES (B) 21, Road # 118, Gulshan, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 880 2 882-1227, ibhuiya@pcdhaka.org, (2) Bangladesh Country Office, Population Council Asia & Near East Region, House CES (B) 21, Road 118, Gulshan, Dhaka, Bangladesh

One-fourth of Bangladesh populations are adolescents and half of them are boys. They lack information about sexual and reproductive health(SRH), contraception and STIs/HIV/AIDS. This paper exhibits the trends of adolescents’ vulnerability towards HIV/AIDS in Bangladesh. Two population-based surveys conducted at two different times where almost equal number of in-school and out-of-school urban adolescent boys were selected randomly and interviewed (1462 in 2000, 1508 in 2002) to assess their SRH knowledge and behavior.

Findings indicated 85% and 99% boys in 2000 and 2002 surveys respectively heard about HIV/AIDS – but knowledge about sexual route of transmission in 2002 declined to 58% from 67%. Regarding HIV/AIDS prevention means, less proportion mentioned abstinence (11% in 2000, 9% in 2002) and a higher proportion cited condom use (46% in 2000, 91% in 2002) with low level of knowledge about correct use of condom (3.5%).

Concerning sexual behavior, 13% boys in 2000 and 15.4% in 2002 were exposed to sex, majority being from out-of-school. Mean age at first sex at two points of time was nearly same (15 years) – but in 2002 few out-of-school adolescents (11) experienced sex when they were only 11 years old. Alarmingly, number of sexual partner, frequency of sexual intercourse in last 6 months and buying sex from CWSs (37% in 2000 versus 56% in 2002) showed increasing trends.

Thus adolescents’ inadequate knowledge about HIV/AIDS transmission, correct use of condom, shift in prevention knowledge from abstinence to condom use, increased sexual exposure and early initiation of sex increase their vulnerability towards HIV/AIDS.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be to:
• 1)discuss the status of both in-school and out-of-school adolescent boys’ sexual and reproductive health in Bangladesh
• 2)identify intervention strategies for reducing adolescent boys’ vulnerability to HIV/AIDS

Keywords: Adolescents, Vulnerable Populations

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.