Abstract
This paper deals with the potentially deleterious effects of the return of male migrants on both the fertility
and health of their wives who, because of cultural constraints, are unprepared to protect themselves against
unwanted pregnancy and/or sexually transmitted diseases, such as HIV/AIDS. I explore the relationship
between male migration, commercialized sex and HIV infection and argue for the use of condoms as both
contraceptives and prophylactics. Immediate intervention to promote condom use may mean prevention of
an AIDS epidemic that would take the lives of millions of Bangladeshis.