HIV in The Philippines – Latest statistics.
In the last several years, there has been a steep increase in the number of new cases of AIDS and HIV in the Philippines specifically this year there were 2,814 reported cases of HIV for the first 6 months of 2014 alone. If we will disseminate the unreported cases, we are dealing with a staggering figures of tens of thousands infections each year, and every year, it is increasing by morbidly 20%. We further more discuss the in depth of HIV in the Philippines via classification from young people, men to men, or just those who are sexually active
Young People more at risk of HIV contraction
According to a 2013 study of the University of the Philippines Population Institute (UPPI), premarital sex among the youth rose to 32 percent from 18 percent in 1994. The study showed that in 2013, 6.2 million Filipino youth had premarital sex, and more than half of this number—4.8 million young people—indulged in unprotected sex.
Of the 6.2 million, 7.3 percent engaged in casual sex (one with no relationship or payment involved, and happened only once or twice), and 5.3 percent of males had sex with other males.
However, only 40 percent of these youth aged 15 to 24 are aware of sexually transmitted diseases. However, 80 percent are aware of HIV/AIDS.
Men-to-men sex fuels rise of HIV in the Philippines
Failure to have an HIV Test as well as Unprotected sex between men is fueling an alarming rise of HIV infections in the Philippines, experts warn.The Southeast Asian country mainly the Philippines is facing an HIV epidemic, with sex between men making up nearly a massive percentage of all new cases, Ten new infections are being detected every day, three times the rate of just a few years ago,
The Philippines is one of only seven countries globally where HIV cases have risen by an alarming 25 percent or more since 2001, according to the UNDP.
Lack of public education about HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, as well as the shame of living with the disease, also prevent many from acknowledging infections and seeking help, health experts said. Unprotected sex remains extremely common in the gay community in the Philippines, according to the roots of the Philippines our society is very conservative in terms of sexual orientation, people are not open to talking about sex much less about men having sex with men.”
What are risk events on having HIV
• Sexual Intercourse (vaginal, oral or anal) with multiple partners
• Sexual Intercourse with someone who is HIV positive or whose status you don’t know
• Sex among a man and another man
• Using an illegal injected drugs
• Shared needles or syringes
HIV Perspective
Condoms are sold in drug stores at about a dollar a piece, but this is beyond the reach of the masses in a country where a third of the population live on less than that amount each day. And with the church pressuring politicians, a 15-year campaign for parliament to pass a reproductive health bill that would require government to give free condoms to the poor has failed. The bill would also require that sex education be taught in schools. Experts point to a long-running education, medical check-up and condom give-away program that has curbed the spread of HIV among the sex worker community as proof that such methods work. Based on our assessment, limiting HIV/AIDS among female sex workers has been a relative success,” The church insists, though, that monogamous partners in responsible relationships is the key to stopping the spread of HIV. Another factor that plays a crucial role in rejection of HIV is Change of attitude and lifestyle