ILOILO City – The Department of Health (DOH) in Western Visayas is urging the public, particularly those engaging in high-risk behaviors, to practice safe and protected sex.
The department also encourages individuals to seek assistance from rural health units (RHUs) or the nearest health facility if they suspect an HIV/AIDS infection.
DOH data indicates that the region accounts for six percent of the total HIV/AIDS cases in the Philippines. From 1984 up to August 2023, Western Visayas reported 5,877 cases, distributed as follows:
* Iloilo Province – 1,684
* Negros Occidental – 1,365
* Iloilo City – 1,364
* Bacolod City – 1,038
* Capiz – 669
* Aklan – 554
* Antique – 429
* Guimaras – 138
Dr. Mary Jane Roches Juanico-Esteva, head of the DOH-6 Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, said the region still ranks high among those contributing to the HIV/AIDS cases in the Philippines.
The most affected are those in the 25- to 34-year-old age group, comprising 50 percent of the region’s total cases, followed by the 15- to 24-year-olds at 29 percent.
National data from the HIV/AIDS Registry of the Philippines showed that from January 1984 to June 2023, there were 117,946 confirmed HIV infections in the country, with 1,518 new cases recorded this year. The daily average of new cases has risen from one per day in 2008 to 49 per day in 2023.
Mode of Transmission
In the region, 95 percent of HIV/AIDS transmissions occur through sexual intercourse. The breakdown is as follows: male-to-male (58 percent), male-to-female or male (26 percent), and male-to-female (14 percent).
Protection for People with High-risk Behaviors
The DOH-6, under regional director Dr. Adriano Suba-an, is focusing on prevention and targets populations engaged in high-risk behaviors. Condoms and other contraceptives, readily available, are advised for use.
Juanico-Esteva emphasized the importance of safe sex practices and mentioned that Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is available at all treatment hubs, including RHUs and health facilities.
DOH-6 also collaborates with private partners in the region to offer self-test kits for HIV.
Juanico-Esteva clarified that these test kits are not commercially available but can be accessed through private partners in selected areas.
The most vulnerable groups for HIV/AIDS infection include men who have sex with men, transgender women, female sex workers, people in prostitution, individuals using injectable drugs, the young population, especially teenagers, and women and children, including mother-to-child transmission.
World AIDS Day
Observed annually every Dec. 1 since 1988, World AIDS Day is dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by HIV spread and commemorating those who have died from the disease. DOH-6 is encouraging local government units (LGUs) to initiate activities in observance of this day, with this year’s theme being “Let Communities Lead.”
Juanico-Esteva also urged the public not to stigmatize vulnerable populations, to enable them to seek proper medical attention.
Patients seeking consultation are assured of confidentiality in compliance with data privacy laws. Juanico-Esteva emphasized that this should not deter individuals, especially those engaged in high-risk behaviors, from approaching health facilities.
Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa reported on Nov. 14 that the daily average rate of new HIV cases in the country has increased, with about 50 new cases recorded daily in 2023, compared to the 22 daily cases in 2022.
Despite the increase, Herbosa noted that the total number of HIV patients is less than one percent of the country’s population.
He also highlighted the rise in HIV-positive cases among the younger generation, with 47 percent of all new cases coming from the 15 to 24-year-old bracket.
Prevalence of HIV among the Younger Generation
According to the HIV/AIDS and ART Registry of the Philippines, as of June this year, there were 466 HIV-positive youths aged 15 to 24, with 94 percent being male and 6 percent female.
The majority of these cases, 99 percent, were infected through sexual contact. In June alone, there were 81 new HIV cases among adolescents aged 10 to 19 years and nine new cases among children under 10 years old.
From January 1984 to June 2023, a total of 34,415 cases were reported in the 15- to 24-year-old age group. (With a report from the Philippine Daily Inquirer)/PN