HIV cases in city involve more males

MALES with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in Davao City outnumber females, one is to eight, and a good number of these are males having sex with males (MSM).

HIV is the virus that develops into acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (Aids).

Non-government organization Kadamay on Thursday said that as of September 30, the number of cases in the city currently ranks second, with Cebu as first and Manila as third.

This alarming ranking on statistics is recognized by the Department of Health (DOH), Kadamay Mindanao Care and Support services head Connie Actub said.

Actub also promoted the upcoming celebration on World Aids Day on December 1.

The accumulated number of positive cases in the city sums to 82 cases, Actub said, with 66 living and 16 deaths.

"Sixty-six are alive with seven of them females and 59 of them males. On deaths, three of them are females and 13 are males. There is an observation that most of those who have HIV are males with the mode of acquisition was through anal sex," Actub said.

Actub, however, stressed that the mode of survey conducted in the city may have been different from those conducted in Cebu and in Manila, thus the result of having more HIV positive cases in the city.

"These data has been accumulated along with the data from the City Health Office, Department of Health, Alagad Mindanao, city health office, DOH, SPMC-HACT. Itong 82 na nag-positive these have been given free services," Actub said.

She stressed that there is still no cure for Aids. What they offer instead are free anti-retroviral drugs.

Anti-retroviral drugs extend the lives of persons with Aids as it stops the body from developing complications from the disease considering the weakened immune system of an Aids-positive person.

"Remember, HIV/AIDS is a sickness that you would have for life. Be wise in taking care of your body," she stressed.

Actub said nationwide there has been an observation that the age bracket of persons positive with HIV/AIDS is getting younger.

"We have someone who is positive on HIV, nineteen years old. The window period is five years so you go back when the person is only fourteen as the time the virus was acquired," Actub said.

Actub also said in the city, a number of those positive with HIV are nursing students, nurses, and former Overseas Filipino Workers.

"We are calling on to the public to keep your communities, schools informed on HIV/AIDS and for those who are positive to avail of free services. We in Alagad Mindanao are very much willing to help you," Actub said. (Jade C. Zaldivar)