Social media campaigns needed to prevent AIDS transmission

The number of HIV patients is increasing in Bangladesh. There is no alternative to awareness to prevent the spread of AIDS.  In the digital era, more campaigns should be run on social media to raise this awareness. This will increase awareness about AIDS among all ages, including students, youth, and society, and the number of patients will decrease. Health sector stakeholders believe that AIDS will be a threat to Bangladesh in the future if awareness is not raised among the people.

According to the report of the Directorate General of Health Services, 1,276 people were infected with AIDS in Bangladesh in 2023. Of them, 1,118 are Bangladeshis and the rest are displaced Myanmar Rohingyas living in different camps in Cox's Bazar. Some 266 people died of AIDS. Of the new AIDS patients, 850 are men and the rest are women and third gender. In 2022, there were 947 cases of AIDS and 232 deaths. In 2021, there were 729 cases and 205 deaths. In 2020, there were 658 cases and 141 deaths.

From 1989 to 2023, 10,984 people were infected with AIDS in the country. Of these, 2,886 have died. The number of people carrying HIV virus in Bangladesh is more than 15,000.

Health experts say awareness is increasing in the country due to various government programs, but AIDS is gradually becoming a threat. Health experts have expressed concern that the risk of AIDS transmission among the population is increasing as identified patients avoid treatment. HIV testing should be done in all government and private hospitals to meet the challenge of AIDS. At the same time, awareness needs to be raised. If awareness is increased, the rate of infection will be reduced. And in the modern era, social media should highlight the harmful aspects of AIDS, what to do to prevent AIDS. Awareness will be spread through social media. And with increased awareness, it will be possible to avoid the threat of AIDS.

The Bangladesh National AIDS/STD Control Programme claims that the number of AIDS patients receiving treatment is increasing every year. In 2019, the awareness rate was 52 percent, which increased to 63 percent in 2021. About 65 percent of people infected with AIDS were treated two years ago, which has now increased to 77 percent. But experts say more awareness is needed.

Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services Dr. ABM Khurshid Alam said that although Bangladesh has become successful in eradicating or controlling many diseases, AIDS remains under control. Urging to lay more emphasis on diagnosis and treatment to eradicate AIDS, the doctors have been urged to be careful. 

He said that AIDS patients cannot be kept away. The government is providing free medical treatment to all.  Awareness about the disease is increasing day by day. More awareness needs to be created on social media.
According to a report by social media management platform NapoleonCat, Facebook is the largest social media platform in Bangladesh. In May 2023, the number of Facebook users in Bangladesh was 59.94 million. The percentage of male users is 66.1 percent. Apart from this, there are many other social media platforms like YouTube, WhatsApp, Instagram, Tiktok, etc.

BM Moinul Hossain, a professor at Dhaka University's Institute of Information Technology, said social media is now a place for people to spend time as well as entertainment. People are not limited to Facebook. there are now many similar platforms on social media including TikTok. In addition to posting, users themselves perform various activities directly. As a result, social media campaigns should be increased to raise awareness to prevent AIDS infection. The result will be good.

Senior Manager AIDS / STD Programme, Directorate General of Health Services, Md Akhtaruzzaman said, We are working to achieve the UNAIDS 95-95-95 target by 2025. This year, we have appointed an HIV positive person as a field worker in 12 HIV-AIDS treatment centers to motivate AIDS patients for taking treatment. When an AIDS patient tells others, I am an HIV positive patient, I am good at treatment, you also take treatment, then people are interested in treatment.

He also said that media and social media have a role to play in making people aware of the prevention of AIDS.
Position in Bangladesh in the 95-95-95 status:

In 2023, awareness has increased by 73 percent, treatment by 75 percent, viral suppressed by 90 percent. The awareness rate in 2022 was 67 percent, treatment was 77 percent, viral suppressed was 90 percent. In 2021, the awareness rate was 63 percent, treatment rate was 77 percent and the viral suppressed rate was 93 percent.
Rohingya’s are increasing the anxiety.

DGHS is providing comprehensive treatment in 23 districts, which have been identified as high-risk with the highest detection in recent years. Rohingyas are a threat to us. They are mingling with the common people of the camp at different times. However, along with the Rohingyas, the challenge is that the infection is now spreading beyond the vulnerable population to the general population.

HIV-positive children are particularly vulnerable to various diseases such as pneumonia and measles and other childhood infectious diseases because their immune system is weaker than that of a healthy child.
Patients can lead normal lives on medication:

Health experts say that with regular medication, AIDS patients can stay healthy for a long time. Many AIDS patients are healthy and have given birth to healthy children. Therefore, if AIDS is diagnosed, there is no reason to hide it or worry. You can stay healthy under treatment and the risk of general people getting this disease will also be reduced.

Doctors believe that along with increasing the scope of treatment. There is a need to increase awareness at the grassroots level. Nowadays, social media is a great way to raise awareness.