DOH alarmed over the increase of HIV cases in Caraga region
DOH-Caraga revealed that, from 1995 to June 2016, there were 227 HIV cases, with 23 reported HIV-AIDS related deaths.
“The jump in HIV cases in Caraga is alarming. We’ve seen it’s fast rise and acknowledge the need for better implementation of coping measures. In June this year, there were five new HIV absero-positive individuals confirmed by the STD/AIDS Cooperative Central Laboratory (SACCL) and reported to the HIV and AIDS Registry,” said Joy Dyana Cervantes, HIV coordinator for the DOH in Caraga Region.
Cervantes noted that the increase in those tested positive could be brought about by increase in awareness.
“More people are having themselves tested for HIV, and we are also encouraging more people to have themselves checked. And as the numbers of people tested increase, so it’s possible that the number of those tested positive for HIV/AIDS could also rise, which means we have to strengthen our advocacy especially in the aspect of prevention,” she said.
Low Condom Use, Unprotected Sex
Cervantes explained that the program of DOH, which promotes the use of condoms, has not been fully disseminated in the community due to cultural beliefs.
“For now, our trained peer educators give out condoms to our most-at-risk population. Yet again, we have a lot of factors to consider especially in our communities since not everyone is that open to the use of condoms.”
Sandy, who requested not to be named, a senior high school student studying in Butuan City, and has indulged in sex since she was 15 years old, pointed out why most females are not exactly ecstatic about condoms.
“There is a stigma, an unspoken notion among students, that using a condom does not feel as good as not having one. We fear getting pregnant, but hardly anyone ever talks about the fear of HIV/AIDS, since most of us think that we will not get it as long as we are doing it only with our boy friend,” said Sandy, who later found out that her boyfriend lost his virginity to an older woman who has had several sexual partners of her own.
Roger a 24 years old bisexual, who has been indulged in anal sex, expressed relief after testing negative.
“I don’t really use condoms, especially when I really like the guy, it feels like asking him to use one is an insult and I’m afraid it might turn him off. But after I tested negative, I will really have to push myself and partner to use condom. Unfortunately, the government has not really pushed the use of condoms into areas like schools, since most of the guys practice male-to-male sex without protection,” said Roger.
Overall, DOH Caraga data shows that the 25-34 years old (49.4%) age group had recorded the most number of cases, with 18 years old as the youngest and 67 years old as the oldest. Most of the cases, 262 (94 percent), were male while 15 cases, or 6%, were female.
The reported modes of transmission were mostly through sexual contact with all the 277. Homosexual contact, at 130 (47%), was the most predominant mode of sexual transmission. Most, about 93% or 257 cases, were still asymptomatic at the time of reporting, with Butuan City topping the region with 103, followed by Surigao del Sur with 54, and 46 for Surigao del Norte.
Dr Genesis Samonte, Epidemiology Program Manager of the DOH, stated in a seminar for journalists on HIV/AIDS reporting that statistics show an average of 25 people in the Philippines getting infected daily.
“But this figure is based only on those who get tested, and not derived from the overall population. So, this is an underestimation because some people refuse to be tested, or do not know where and how to get tested,” said Samonte.
He observed that, if the person’s first sexual experience did not involve the use of condom then it would be more difficult for them to use condom in the future. (Erwin M. Mascariñas, InterAksyon)
