The HIV epidemic in the East Asian country is one of the fastest-growing in the world, with a majority of new infections occurring among gay and transgender women. Over the past decade, internet sites have facilitated the epidemic by making it easier for people to find sexual partners. Additionally, many schools do not allow discussion of sexual anatomy.
According to experts, HIV infections are increasing in the Philippines due to various factors such as poor sex education, conservative attitudes, and the use of online dating. Although only a small percentage of the country’s population has been diagnosed with the virus, it is one of the fastest growing epidemics in the world, with most new infections occurring among men who have sex with men and transgender women.
Health officials in the Philippines warn that the number of people living with HIV is increasing every year and that it could double to more than 400,000 by the year 2030. This is a cause for alarm as it shows that the epidemic is not yet under control.
Van Phillip Baton, an adviser to the United Nations Joint Program on HIV/AIDS (UN Aids) in the Philippines, emphasised the need for action to prevent the virus from spreading to the entire population.
In the past decade, social media and online dating sites have made it easier to find sexual partners, which has led to the spread of infections.
Baton reported that increased sexual activity did not lead to increased condom usage post COVID-19 restrictions. A 2021 sexual health survey by the University of the Philippines found that over a third of Filipino youth aged 15 to 24 lacked knowledge about condom usage as a preventive measure for HIV. The survey revealed that only 76% of young Filipinos were aware of HIV and AIDS, the lowest level since 1994. Professor Vicente Jurlano emphasised the need for more information to correct misconceptions and opinions of the youth on HIV/AIDS.
A family planning law was passed in 2013 despite opposition from the Catholic Church. The law mandates sex education in schools and free condoms at government health centres. However, minors under 18 need parental consent to receive condoms.
In 2018, the education department started rolling out comprehensive sexuality education with a focus on preventing teenage pregnancy. HIV is included in sex education, but condom use is not taught due to cultural taboos.
HIV-positive youth often faced discrimination from family and friends, causing some to become depressed and even suicidal, said Krang, who volunteers at an HIV testing and treatment centre in Iloilo. UN Aids has set a goal of ending AIDS as a global health threat by 2030, which includes reducing the number of new HIV cases by 90 per cent compared to 2010.
HIV-positive youth often faced discrimination from family and friends, causing some to become depressed and even suicidal, said Krang, who volunteers at an HIV testing and treatment centre in Iloilo. Krang, who asked AFP to use his nickname, said he knew very little about HIV before he tested positive for the virus in 2018.
“Most young people with HIV are discriminated against by their peers when they tell them,” Krang said, and their status is posted on Facebook or shared with a teacher.
“Most young people with HIV are discriminated against by their peers when they tell them,” Krang said, and their status is posted on Facebook or shared with a teacher.
UN Aids has set a goal of ending AIDS as a global health threat by 2030, which includes reducing the number of new HIV cases by 90 per cent compared to 2010 Show.
According to UN AIDS, the number of new infections worldwide decreased by 38 percent between 2010 and 2022, while the Philippines saw a 418 percent increase, making it the fastest growing HIV epidemic in the Asia-Pacific region and the fourth largest in the world.
With only 63 percent of HIV-positive Filipinos knowing their status and 41 percent taking medication — well below UN Aids’ 95 percent target — more testing and treatment centers were needed, especially outside cities.
According to UN AIDS data, the number of AIDS-related deaths in the Philippines increased by 538 percent between 2010 and 2022, while it decreased by 51 percent worldwide.
“I really think the whole population should be open about HIV – so that people don’t stigmatise the disease and people who are infected don’t feel ashamed.
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