Risk factors for HIV infection in males who have sex with males (MSM) in Bangladesh.
BACKGROUND
Recent surveillance data from Bangladesh indicate rising HIV infection among intravenous drug users (IDU) in the country. We suggest a likely association between HIV risk factors in this group and other groups, such as males who have sex with males (MSM).


METHODS
Data on MSM in Bangladesh was collected and analyzed from numerous primary and secondary sources, including government ministries, non-profit health organizations, and personal communications.


RESULTS
The overall prevalence of HIV in Bangladesh is relatively low, but surveillance data indicate that infection has reached significant proportions in certain high-risk groups and may soon spread to other groups, specifically MSM.


CONCLUSIONS
The epidemiology of HIV infection in other countries suggests that increasing rates of HIV in higher-risk populations can precede an epidemic in the general population. We review the data concerning MSM, IDU and HIV in Bangladesh from a variety of sources and propose ways to prevent HIV transmission.
Chan
Philip A
PA
Department of Internal Medicine, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, USA. PChan@lifespan.org <PChan@lifespan.org>
Khan
Omar A
OA
D000328:Adult; D001459:Bangladesh / Q000453:epidemiology; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D011477:Sex Work; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*