Sexually transmitted diseases among the immigrants seeking jobs abroad.

PIP: To collect information on epidemiological attributes in relation to hepatitis B virus (HBV), syphilis, and HIV-positive cases among persons seeking jobs abroad, a descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in selected health checkup centers of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Data were gathered through a structured interview schedule and blood samples were collected from 206 persons going abroad for jobs. The majority of the workers belonged to the age group 21-30 years (71.36%), followed by the age group 31-40 years (15.53%). The distribution of respondents according to profession was the following: agriculture, 77 (37.37%); business, 60 (29.13%); private service, 26 (12.62%); unemployed, 18 (8.74%); students, 15 (7.28%); housewives, 6 (2.91%); government service holders, 3 (1.46%). Of the 206 workers, 18 (8.74%) were found to be positive for the HBV antigen (HBsAg), 5 (2.43%) were positive for syphilis, and none was found positive for HIV. Among these workers, 34 (16.50%) were abroad, and 7 (20.59%) of them engaged in sex. 51 (24.75%) indicated a history of premarital and 15 (14.29%) a history of postmarital sex. Only 2 (0.79%) received transfusions and none had undergone surgery within the last 6 months. 79 (38.35%) and 66 (32.04%) reported a history of regular and occasional saloon shaving, respectively. These findings indicate that while the prevalence of HIV in Bangladesh is still low, the prevalence of HBsAg and sexually transmitted diseases is increasing in the country.^ieng