Sexual and reproductive health and rights needs of young men who live in the streets in Dhaka City: A Link Up exploratory study

Under the Link Up project—a global consortium led by the International HIV/AIDS Alliance and supported by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs—the Population Council conducted an exploratory study of the HIV and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) needs of young men who live in the streets of Dhaka City, Bangladesh. The study investigated their knowledge, behaviors, needs, and service utilization related to HIV and SRHR. The findings elucidate the substantial vulnerabilities and risks faced by young men who live in the streets of Dhaka City, most notably in terms of sexual risk and physical violence. Participants reported very high prevalence of transactional sex, as well as low levels of condom use. This brief concludes that a multisectoral response is essential—including collective efforts spanning the education, health, and law enforcement communities—to ultimately minimize the extreme sexual risk faced in these Dhaka City communities