The HIV Situation in the Philippines 9 August 2011

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

7,031 reported HIV cases (January 1984 to June 2011) Source: Philippine HIV Registry

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.

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

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

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

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

Modes of HIV Transmission among Females in the Philippines Source: Philippine HIV Registry

Modes of HIV Transmission among Males in the Philippines 2009 2010 2011 Source: Philippine HIV Registry

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

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

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

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

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):110-119

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):110-119

HIV Prevalence among Sex Workers & MSM Source: IHBSS 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011 of 10 Sentinel Sites

HIV Prevalence among IDUs Source: IHBSS 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011 in Sentinel Sites

Projected Number of People Living with HIV in the Philippines

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.

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

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

THANK YOU