Background
Men who have sex with men (MSM), and transgender women (TG) are more likely to be affected by STIs and HIV due to unprotected anal sex and oral sex. HIV prevention programs in Bangladesh were initiated in the mid-nineties don’t include raising awareness on oral STIs due to limited data. Oral STI issues are also absent in the National STI Management Guideline, as well as in STI national policies.

About the project
The change project aimed at addressing the current knowledge gap regarding oral STIs and condom use among policy and decision makers, as well as MSM and TG populations to reduce the spread of STIs and the incorporation of this issue into policies and guidelines. The project team carried out a pre-test and baseline survey among100 MSM and TG women, conducted two sessions on oral STIs among 99 service providers, printed and distributed 4,000 BCC materials on oral STIs among 3600 MSM and TG women, supported 2,500 and 100 peer education sessions, presented a brief on the issue of oral STIs with 20 key stakeholders and conducted advocacy meetings to include oral STIs in National STI Management Guidelines and existing interventions.

Results
Oral STI issues and management flowcharts were incorporated in the updated National STI Syndromic Management Flowcharts Guidelines, Oral STI issues were included in the existing HIV intervention for MSM and TG women.

Year; 2017/2018