The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #49679

Ismat Bhuiya, MSc MPH¹, Ubaidur Rob, Ph D¹, M.E. Khan, PhD², and Laila Rahman, MCom². (1) Population Council, House # CES (B) 21, Road # 118, Gulshan, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh, 880 2 882-3334, ibhuiya@pcdhaka.org, (2) Bangladesh Country Office, Population Council, House # CES (B) 21, Road # 118, Gulshan, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh

There are 33 million adolescents in Bangladesh. In the arena of HIV/AIDS, adolescents lack information on sexuality, safe sex, STIs, and HIV/AIDS. Family and school play a very important role in the lives of adolescent. But neither family nor school provide any information on sexual and reproductive health (SRH). Adolescents’ vulnerability in terms of inadequate information, support and care is evident from different studies. Nevertheless no significant initiative has been taken so far in this direction. This article describes the findings from 40 case studies on risky behavior of adolescents and a survey carried out before implementing an intervention project to improve the situation.

Information on SRH behavior of 2971 adolescents was collected in the pre-intervention survey. Five percent had reported pre-marital sex. Of the 127 sexually active males, 52 adolescents (41%) had sex with commercial sex workers (CSWs). Of them, 42 adolescents (81%) had never used condom during sex. Hundred-twelve adolescents smoked tobacco (88%) and 37 drank alcohol (29%). The case studies undertaken to identify underlying factors of risky behavior of the adolescents indicated that lack of supportive environment was an important determinant for risky behavior. Eight adolescents said that they found no sympathy, 12 no caring, 20 lack of encouragement in the family as well as in the school. Thirty-four adolescents said that they have been treated like kids and 30 said that their opinion was not valued.

Thus the social environments need to be sensitized for creating an adolescent-friendly environment to reduce their vulnerability to risk behavior.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to

• Identify the underlying factors of risk behavior of adolescents.
• Recognize the importance of creating an adolescent-friendly environment in the family as well as in the school.

Keywords: Adolescents, Risk Behavior

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Population Council
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.