1. The HIV Situation in the Philippines
9 August 2011

2. What is Human Immunodeficiency Virus?
It is a virus -- a microorganism, not a disease
It only infects humans
This 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 all
After 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 person
Unlike influenza, HIV is not airborne. It is not waterborne or foodborne either
HIV is blood borne
The most common ways blood can be transmitted from one person to another are:
Blood transfusion
Sharing of needles stained with blood
Pregnant mother to baby in her womb
Sexual contact

5. So what’s causing the increase in HIV cases?
Risky Behavior
Prevention

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 2011
Philippine HIV & AIDS Registry
Integrated HIV Behavioral & Serologic Surveillance (IHBSS)
HIV Program Reports (government & NGO)
Researches:
Rapid assessments
Operations research
Special investigations
Evaluations, etc.

8. Philippine HIV & AIDS Registry
Official national registry of
HIV & AIDS cases in the Philippines
Strictly confidential
Passive reporting system
Does not follow-up cases after being reported
Gives 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 Registry
Note: Scales are different for males and females

12. Regions with the most number of
reported HIV cases
64% NCR & Region 4A
24% Region 7
70% NCR & Region 4A
68% NCR & Region 4A
Source: Philippine HIV Registry
* 2011 data from Jan to Jun only

13. Behaviors that makes us at RISK for infection
Unprotected anal sex between males
Unprotected sex with paid partners
Unprotected sex with multiple sex partners
Injecting with used needles

14. Behaviors that put Filipinos at risk for HIV
Younger age of first sex
Younger Filipinos try injecting drugs
More males engage in anal sex
Unprotected sex with >1 sexual partner
Most injecting drug users share needles
Few voluntarily get tested for HIV and know
their HIV status – so many may be spreading
HIV 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
2009
2010
2011
Source: Philippine HIV Registry

17. Mode of HIV Transmission Among 15-24yo
Source: Philippine HIV&AIDS Registry
N 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 years
Correct 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 month
Used 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 years
Correct 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: none
Source: 2009 IHBSS

20. Males who have sex with Males
Mean age of first sex with a man: 15 years
Correct 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 month
Used 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 Behaviors
Among 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 Behaviors
Among 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 HIV
what is HIV and what it is not, how to prevent it, what to do if you or a loved one gets infected
Self-Worth
why waiting is worth it, how to say “No”, having the courage to get tested and know your HIV status
Responsibility
protecting yourself and your loved ones, owning up to your decisions

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

29. THANK
YOU