he HIV Situation in the Philippines

9 August 2011

2 What is Human Immunodeficiency Virus?

It is a virus -- a microorganism, not a diseaseIt only infects humansThis virus causes the body’s
immune system to weaken or become deficient

3 What are the symptoms & treatment for HIV?

Once infected with HIV, there are very mild symptoms or none at allAfter 5-10 yrs, the body’s
immune system becomes to weak to fight off infections – this syndrome of having many infections at
the same time because of a weakened immune system is called AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency
Syndrome)There is NO cure for HIV infection

4 HIV is transmitted from person to person

How is HIV transmitted?HIV is transmitted from person to personUnlike influenza, HIV is not
airborne. It is not waterborne or foodborne eitherHIV is blood borneThe most common ways blood
can be transmitted from one person to another are:Blood transfusionSharing of needles stained with
bloodPregnant mother to baby in her wombSexual contact

5 So what’s causing the increase in HIV cases?

Risky BehaviorPrevention

6 63 countries reported. Philippines is one of only 7countries with increasing HIV cases
Source: UNAIDS Global Report 2010

7 Tracking HIV in the Philippines

1984 to 2011Philippine HIV & AIDS RegistryIntegrated HIV Behavioral & Serologic Surveillance
(IHBSS)HIV Program Reports (government & NGO)Researches:Rapid assessmentsOperations
researchSpecial investigationsEvaluations, etc.

8 Philippine HIV & AIDS Registry

Official national registry ofHIV & AIDS cases in the PhilippinesStrictly confidentialPassive reporting
systemDoes not follow-up cases after being reportedGives data on trends

9 7,031 reported HIV cases (January 1984 to June 2011)

Source: Philippine HIV Registry

10 HIV/AIDS cases disaggregated by gender

(1984 to 2011)11 have not answered the question regarding their gender.The first 2 reported cases
in 1984 were both males. From 1985 til 1990s, HIV cases were predominantly women. However,
there has been a shift from female new cases to Male new HIV cases.

11 Distribution of Male and Female HIV Cases by Age group (1984 to 2011)
Source: Philippine HIV RegistryNote: Scales are different for males and females

12 Regions with the most number of

reported HIV cases64% NCR & Region 4A24% Region 770% NCR & Region 4A68% NCR & Region
4ASource: Philippine HIV Registry* 2011 data from Jan to Jun only
13 Behaviors that makes us at RISK for infection
Unprotected anal sex between malesUnprotected sex with paid partnersUnprotected sex with
multiple sex partnersInjecting with used needles

14 Behaviors that put Filipinos at risk for HIV

Younger age of first sexYounger Filipinos try injecting drugsMore males engage in anal
sexUnprotected sex with >1 sexual partnerMost injecting drug users share needlesFew voluntarily
get tested for HIV and knowtheir HIV status – so many may be spreadingHIV and not know it

15 Modes of HIV Transmission among Females in the Philippines

Source: Philippine HIV Registry

16 Modes of HIV Transmission among Males in the Philippines

200920102011Source: Philippine HIV Registry

17 Mode of HIV Transmission Among 15-24yo

Source: Philippine HIV&AIDS RegistryN A T I O N A L E P I D E M I O L O G Y C E N T E R

18 Females in Prostitution
Mean age of first time she was paid for sex: 16 yearsCorrect knowledge of HIV & HIV Prevention:
youth 18% , adult 31%Regularly brings a condom when “working”: youth 10% , adult 21%Number of
male sex partners: 4 to 7 per monthUsed a condom during last sex with a customer: 55%Went to the
Social Hygiene Clinic the past month: youth 27%, adult 58%Feel they are at risk to get infected with
HIV: 59%Ever had an HIV test: youth 5%, adult 24%Source: 2009 IHBSS

19 People who Inject Drugs

Mean age of first injected drugs: 16 yearsCorrect knowledge of HIV & HIV Prevention: youth 24%,
adult 46%Shared syringe/needles during last injection: 66%Used a condom during last sex:
31%Accepts payment for sex from customers: 52%Feel they are at risk to get infected with HIV:
69%Ever had an HIV test: noneSource: 2009 IHBSS

20 Males who have sex with Males

Mean age of first sex with a man: 15 yearsCorrect knowledge of HIV & HIV Prevention: youth 24%,
adult 36%Had anal sex without a condom in the past 12 months: youth 58%, adult 53%Number of
male sex partners: 1 to 2 per monthUsed a condom during last sex with a man: youth 20%, adult
33%Feel they are at risk to get infected with HIV: 60%Ever had an HIV test: 0.5%Source: 2009
IHBSS

21 Number of Years Between First Crush to First Sex

First crush to first date: 2 yrs (Males); 4 yrs (Females)First date to first sex: 1 year (Males &
Females)First crush to first sex: 4 yrs (Males); 5 yrs (Females)Source:Before First Sex: Gender
Differences in Emotional Relationships and Physical BehaviorsAmong Adolescents in the
Philippines. International Family Planning Perspectives 32(2):

22 Conclusion of that Study

“The period between the first date and first sex experienced by both males and females provides an
opportunity to ensure that adolescents have access to the information and services that will allow
them to make informed choices about sexual behavior.”Upadhyay, Hindin, Gultiano
(2006)Source:Before First Sex: Gender Differences in Emotional Relationships and Physical
BehaviorsAmong Adolescents in the Philippines. International Family Planning Perspectives 32(2):
23 HIV Prevalence among Sex Workers & MSM
Source: IHBSS 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011 of 10 Sentinel Sites

24 HIV Prevalence among IDUs

Source: IHBSS 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011 in Sentinel Sites

25 Projected Number of People Living with HIV in the Philippines

26 FACT: HIV is increasing in the Philippines

If we do nothing, HIV is a problem that will NOT go away…. We HAVE to do something. Everyone
CAN do something.

27 Help us Improve the next generation’s…

Correct Knowledge on HIVwhat is HIV and what it is not, how to prevent it, what to do if you or a
loved one gets infectedSelf-Worthwhy waiting is worth it, how to say “No”, having the courage to get
tested and know your HIV statusResponsibilityprotecting yourself and your loved ones, owning up to
your decisions

28 HIV steals, kills, and destroys. Will you continue to allow it to?