National Association of Unesco Clubs in Bangladesh (NAUCB) organised the seminar cum discussion titled 'Dissemination of Information and Raising Awareness about HIV/ AIDS among Youths' at the conference hall of Bangladesh National Commission for Unesco (BNCU) marking the World AIDS Day 2006.

Establishing a healthy pattern of sexual behaviour from the beginning is easier than to change a risky behaviour that has already developed, said Dr Halida Hanum Khandakar, adding that though the government has initiated HIV education in school curriculum with very limited information, different opinion prevail among parents and teachers whether these should be included in the school curriculum as science, biology or health education.

Support of the teachers and guardians can help young people know about their reproductive health, to make safer choices about safer behaviour and practice, which could be most effective to reduce their chance of getting infected by HIV, Dr Halida added.

She also said the invisible nature of the disease gives a false sense of security to HIV infected people and to people with high risk practicing behaviour and encourage them for not testing or reporting.

Although the situation is not that much worse in Bangladesh, vulnerability prevails for people's unsafe sex and the intravenous drug using, the speakers said, adding that if we compare with other Asian nations, the average number of sex partners of a sex worker in a week is higher in the country and the rate of using condom for safe sex is negligible.

The HIV/AIDS issue is very important and sensitive as well. But it is time for all, specially the youth, to take away all uneasiness and torpidity and to talk candidly, said Zaglul Ahmed Chowdhury, managing director and chief editor of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS).

Journalist Gias Kamal Chowdhury presided over the discussion while students of different colleges, universities and girls guides were also present and shared their views.

Gias Kamal Chowdhury stressed the need for obeying religious rules and practicing according to that.

Journal Editor of the daily Independent Dr Masudur Rahman, Secretary of BNCU Mahmudul Hassan and Secretary General of NAUCAB Mahbubuddin Chowdhury were also present.