DAVAO City recorded a total of 3,810 cases of the human immunodeficiency virus-acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/Aids) as of January 2022 based on the data of Davao City Reproductive Health and Wellness Center (RHWC).
The data is part of the 5,256 cases in Davao Region, which is a consolidated report of confirmed HIV/Aids cases since 1993 when it was first detected.
In comparison, the HIV/AIDS cases in Davao City saw an increase of 197 cases from the tallied 3,613 cases last year in July 2021, making Davao City fifth in Davao Region with the most cases of HIV/AIDS.
“Ito ay total cases na confirmed (These are total confirmed cases). Some of these may have died, some of them are actually on treatment so lahat-lahat na ito (this is all of it),” Dr. Jordana Remiterre, head of RHWC, said during the Kapehan sa Dabaw press conference on May 16, 2022.
HIV/AIDS is transmitted in three ways - blood transmission, mother-to-child transmission, and unprotected penetrative sex.
During an interview with SunStar Davao on Tuesday, May 24, 2022, said most of the cases are driven by MSM intercourse or men who have sex with men (MSM) but bisexual engagements, involving both males and females, were also prominent.
“It’s actually in the entire Philippines ang sinasabi natin na drivers of the epidemic are among males who have sex with other males as well, it doesn’t really mean that solely sila lang pwede magkaganito (they are the only ones to have Aids) because even heterosexuals pwede siya mangyari (it can happen to heterosexuals too),” Remiterre said, referring to ‘risky’ sexual behavior of any gender is a big factor.
These risky sexual behavior include frequent change of partners, engaging in casual sex, having multiple partners, unprotected sex, and not accessing available services against HIV/AIDS.
According to Remiterre, HIV/AIDS can be prevented in five steps which are abstinence for young people and minors of both sex, sticking to one partner as much as possible, careful sex via correct and consistent condom use, sharing of injection needles, and education campaign including early testing and early treatment.
In order to encourage safe sex practice and end the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS, Remiterre encourages individuals who fees they have been exposed to HIV/AIDS to seek screening and testing.
RHWC also promotes self-testing for those who wish to be more discreet, “Some people feel that mataas ang stigma (there is a stigma), maybe that’s self-stigma or self-discrimination na mag (to) access sa (the) facility,” she said.
Community health outreach workers and peer navigators also reach out to the community level to promote testing, screening, and information campaign about HIV/AIDS.
At the same time, Herminigilda Escalante, chairperson of Alagad Mindanao, said last May 16 that they have partnered with the Dayaw Community Center, local barangay units, and their Sanggunian Kabataan units to conduct an HIV/Aids screening for adults and youth in the city and in geographically isolated areas.
This is in order for individuals, especially teens, who are either negative or positive for HIV/AIDS to access necessary services and information about the condition since more youths are becoming curious and exploring their sexuality.