HIV/AIDS Interventions in Bangladesh: What Can Application of a Social Exclusion Framework Tell Us?

Authors

  • Nidhi Khosla Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3329/jhpn.v27i4.3404

Keywords:

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, Gender issues, HIV, Homosexuality, Needle-sharing, Sex behaviour, Social exclusion, Stigmatization, Bangladesh

Abstract

Bangladesh has maintained a low HIV prevalence (of less than 1%) despite multiple risk factors. However, recent serological surveillance data have reported very high levels of HIV infection among a subgroup of male injecting drug-users (IDUs). This suggests that an HIV/AIDS epidemic could be imminent in Bangladesh. Although biomedical and behavioural change projects are important, they do not address the root causes of observed risky behaviours among ‘high-risk' groups. In Bangladesh, these groups include sex workers, IDUs, males who have sex with males, and the transgender population-hijra-who are all excluded groups. Using a social exclusion framework, this paper analyzed existing literature on HIV in Bangladesh to identify social, economic and legal forces that heighten the vulnerability of such excluded groups to HIV/AIDS. It found that poverty and bias against women are major exclusionary factors. The paper presents areas for research and for policy action so that the social exclusion of high-risk groups can be reduced, their rights protected, and an HIV epidemic averted.

Key words: Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome; Gender issues; HIV; Homosexuality; Needle-sharing; Sex behaviour; Social exclusion; Stigmatization; Bangladesh  

doi: 10.3329/jhpn.v27i4.3404

J Health Popul Nutr 2009 Aug;27(4):587-597

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Author Biography

Nidhi Khosla, Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD

Ms Nidhi Khosla
Department of Health, Behavior and Society
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
624 North Broadway
Baltimore, MD 21205
USA
Email: nkhosla@jhsph.edu
Fax: 1-410-502-4333

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How to Cite

Khosla, N. (2009). HIV/AIDS Interventions in Bangladesh: What Can Application of a Social Exclusion Framework Tell Us?. Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition, 27(4), 587–597. https://doi.org/10.3329/jhpn.v27i4.3404

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Section

Original Papers