Mohammad Khairul Alam

Adolescent girls are especially vulnerable to HIV infection because of biological, cultural and economic factors. They are sexually mature and active at younger age. In some of the poor countries in world, girls, aged 15 to 19, are infected at rates as much as seven times higher than boys; in some regions, girls are infected at twice the rate. The disproportionate impact is related to widespread sexual abuse and gender discrimination against girls, making it extremely difficult for them to protect themselves. Females are also biologically more vulnerable to HIV/STIs transmission because of the immaturity of their reproductive tracts and the much higher rates of HIV/AIDS transmission from males to females.

Adolescent girls who are late developers may be more vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) than younger, sexually precocious teens. Sexual maturity, rather than age at first sex, seems to be a critical factor. Adolescent girls, whose breasts were more developed, more sexually mature (older gynecological age), and who had infrequent menstrual cycles were significantly less likely to have any of the infections. Early mature girls, who start their periods before the age of 11 or 12, have high oestrogen levels and develop physically faster than late developers.

It is susceptive in some region in Brazil, India etc, marriage itself may be a vulnerable factor, and female who believe they are in monogamous relationships might be at risk of infection. In many regions, a double standard exists whereby men are often permitted, if not encouraged, to connect in sex outside the regular marriage or relationship while women are emphatically condemned for it. Young women in Asia, for example, are being infected in increasing numbers by their husbands, who engage in extramarital/commercial sex, yet these women have little power to insist on safer sex from their husbands. Further, their risk of HIV infection seriously increases when other STIs are present. This tendency is also visible in parts of America and Africa.

It is widely known that some older men who are regular client of sex industry, often seeking young girls or virgin girls, some time they offer huge money for this, so young girls are also trafficked for this. In many AIDS-affected countries, including Thailand, men are seeking younger and younger sex workers in the hope that they will be HIV-negative, but older men are presumed to be HIV negative, mostly in some of the worst affected countries in Africa. This phenomenon, particularly in the poorest countries, often goes beyond the stereotypical man who is much older or much richer; it can involve anybody who has more economic power than a adolescent girl and has no scruples about exploiting such badly poor girls. Openly, the practice feeds on circumstances of poverty and economic dependency and puts adolescent girls at danger of infection from older men or those who have had many sexual partners and are more likely to be infected. Adolescent girls may be bound to engage in sex because they lack livelihood options or to help their families, to feed and provide better their charge. In several cases, this amounts to survival sex and occurs when diluted adolescent girls find no opportunity or economic alternatives.

A low level of understanding of the virus in Bangladesh by the population at large contributes to the tenuous situation. Education and information on HIV prevention, especially for adolescent boys and girls, is often limited and inaccessible. According to recent survey by Rainbow Nari O Shishu Kallyan Foundation, 80% of those surveyed believe that adolescents need more information about HIV/AIDS. As a result of the lack of accessible and appropriate information, fear and stigma are common reactions surrounding the virus and infected persons.

Adolescents are at risk of HIV/AIDS infection from both injecting drug use and high-risk sexual activity. Use of illicit drugs is spreading rapidly among adolescents heightening their vulnerability for HIV transmission.  Almost 80% of drug users are under 30, most of who do not take proper measures to decrease their risk of infection.

All over the world it also rising by anti social circumstance, such as sexual violence, rape, and child abuse, although it is happened quit natural, but laws fail to punish them in maximum time. Cause of previous experience other; time & cost for police case and child or girls sensitivity, risk bringing shame and stigma, their family think safe would be hidden real fact.

Reference: World Bank, UNAIDS

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