ILOILO – The Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) urges Ilonggos to ascertain their HIV status, infected or not, by visiting government tertiary hospitals or selected district hospitals and Rural Health Units (RHUs).
HIV cases in this province are increasing. From 1986 until September 2023, Iloilo recorded 1,707 cumulative cases, resulting in 186 deaths, the highest in the region, said Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon, head of the IPHO.
Between January and September 2023, the province reported 218 new cases and 15 deaths.
Quiñon emphasized the importance for individuals, especially those at high risk, to know their HIV status to receive early treatment.
“We encourage those unsure of their status to get tested. Rest assured, our health workers maintain confidentiality,” said Quiñon.
She further explained that patients on medication can lead normal lives and significantly reduce the risk of infecting their partners as their viral load decreases.
High-risk groups for HIV include men who have sex with men, transgender women, female sex workers, people engaged in prostitution, individuals using shared or injectable drugs, and young people, including teens, women, and instances of mother-to-child transmission.
Three district hospitals in the province are authorized to conduct HIV testing – the Iloilo Provincial Hospital in Pototan town; Jesus Colmenares District Hospital in Balasan; and Rep. Pedro G. Trono Memorial Hospital in Guimbal.
Additionally, the RHUs in Calinog and Janiuay offer HIV testing.
Don’t Forget the ABCDE
Quiñon said another benefit of seeking HIV testing is counseling support for those who test positive, helping them come to terms with their diagnosis.
Of the 1,707 recorded cases, Quiñon said 1,104 patients have received treatment.
In addition to HIV testing, IPHO promotes the “ABCDE” strategy for HIV prevention:
* A – Abstain from sex or sexual intercourse
* B – Be faithful to one partner
* C – Use condoms
* D – Do not use drugs or alcoholic beverages
* E – Emphasize education, early detection, and treatment
Modes of Transmission
Quiñon said the primary HIV transmission mode in Iloilo is between men who have sex with men. Of the 1,707 HIV cases from 1986 to September 2023, 1,020 were transmitted this way.
Other transmission modes include:
* Men having sex with both men and women – 423 cases
* Male to female sex – 238 cases
* Mother-to-child transmission – 2 cases
* Unknown – 24 cases
Iloilo’s HIV cases by age group are as follows:
* Under 15 – 4 cases
* 15 to 24 years – 534 cases
* 25 to 34 years – 830 cases
* 35 to 49 years – 297 cases
* 50 years and above – 42 cases
Out of the total, 1,645 cases are males, and 62 are females.
Where in Iloilo?
Oton and Pavia towns have recorded the highest cumulative HIV cases in the province, with Oton at 138 cases and Pavia at 113 cases, followed by Pototan with 79 cases, and others as listed: Janiuay – 67, Miag-ao – 63, Cabatuan – 62, Santa Barbara – 61, Dumangas – 60, Barotac Nuevo – 57, and Passi City – 57.
The breakdown of the remaining cases included: Tigbauan (54), Lambunao (53), Leganes (51), Carles (45), Calinog (43), Ajuy (41), San Joaquin (39), San Miguel (37), Estancia (36), San Dionisio (35), Dingle (34), Guimbal (33), Leon (32), San Enrique (32), Sara (31), Zarraga (29), Balasan (27), Dueñas (27), Anilao (26), Concepcion (26), Maasin (25), Barotac Viejo (23), Banate (22), New Lucena (21), Tubungan (21), Alimodian (20), Badiangan (20), Lemery (15), Mina (14), Batad (12), Igbaras (11), San Rafael (eight), Bingawan (six)./PN
