Philippines strategizes to overcome the HIV/AIDS crisis

April 18, 2023

HIV cases are increasing, but youths are becoming less aware of the virus

According to the Department of Health (DOH), the Philippines has the fastest growing HIV epidemic in the Asia-Pacific region, accounting for a 23% increase in annual new HIV infections from 2010 to 2020, and AIDS-related death increased by 31% during the same period. At this rate, and assuming that projected annual infection trajectories hold, the number of HIV-infected people will rise by 53,100 per year by 2030, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Based on epidemiology data, the country has 42 HIV cases per day as of November 2022.

A variety of factors, including the level of adoption of safe sex practices, as well as education and awareness about HIV/AIDS and how it is transmitted, are constraints in limiting infections. Too, insufficient information can stymie efforts to reduce the number of HIV infections in the Philippines. According to the University of the Philippines Population Institute’s 2021 Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Study (YAFS5), youth HIV/AIDS awareness has dropped to its lowest level since 1994, when it was 95%. According to the study, only 76% of young Filipinos aged 15-24 have heard of HIV and/or AIDS.

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks the immune system of the body. AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) can develop if HIV is not treated. There is currently no effective treatment available. People who contract HIV are infected for life. HIV, on the other hand, can be controlled with proper medical care. People living with HIV who receive effective HIV treatment can live long and healthy lives while protecting their partners.
– CDC

The YAFS5 examined the percentage of those with comprehensive knowledge of HIV among those who had heard of HIV/AIDS, based on five standardised statements consisting of a combination of true and false information about the virus.

Only 19% of youth, or one in every five, have a thorough understanding of HIV. Women’s percentages increased significantly from 16% in 2013 to 19% in 2021, but men’s percentages increased only slightly from 18% in 2013 to 19% in 2021.

More than half of young people, or 52%, incorrectly believed that sharing food with someone infected with HIV could lead to infection. About two-fifths, on the other hand, did not believe that a healthy-looking person could be infected with HIV.

In addition, 35% of young people did not believe that using a condom during sex can reduce the risk of HIV infection, despite evidence that consistent condom use is very effective against HIV transmission. According to YAFS5 data, male youth use condoms infrequently during high-risk sexual activities such as transactional and casual sex.

A multifaceted approach is required to address the problem

Similarly, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) stated that a combination of health and non-health approaches is the best way to combat the country’s growing HIV cases. Non-health interventions, such as reducing stigma and discrimination, improving HIV financing, and increasing HIV ordinances, are often overlooked.

According to the UNDP, despite the fact that key populations like transgender people, people who inject drugs (PWID), and people who engage in transactional sex are disproportionately affected by the HIV epidemic, this group is consistently underfunded, especially in the National Capital Region (NCR).

In 2018-2020, HIV spending remained inadequately targeted to people living with HIV or PLHIV (28%) and the most vulnerable populations (17%), with a large portion of the budget dedicated to general population programs (37%).

While spending on PLHIV increased, allocations for the general population increased as well, possibly at the expense of deductions for key populations. This trend could be attributed to the lack of, or insufficient or outdated local instruments that could have given rise to specific mandates for the creation or implementation of programs and projects for PLHIVs or key populations in accordance with current national laws, UNDP said, adding that the NCR’s promotion of an enabling environment is underfunded, owing to a lack of, insufficient, or outdated local instruments.

As a result, it is claimed that the region’s fund allocation fails to adhere to the “complexities” of the Philippines’ HIV/AIDS Policy Act. These circumstances have made the HIV epidemic even more difficult for the country’s health-care system.

Collaborations to tackle the epidemic

With an increasing number of people at risk of virus infection, the health department has launched initiatives such as Healthy Pilipinas, which promotes the Free to Be U campaign.

Similarly, DOH and the Philippine National AIDS Council (PNAC) have developed action plans to address HIV/AIDS in the country. The strategic plans were aligned with the previously developed 7th AIDS Medium Term Plan, which highlights the master plan’s five strategic pillars: Prevent, Treat, Protect, Strengthen, and Sustain.

This strategic planning, according to Health officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire, includes actions to address the HIV crisis as well as factors that fuel the epidemic, such as social and gender inequalities, stigma and discrimination, structural barriers that prevent equitable access of affected populations to prevention, treatment, and care, and challenges placed on health, non-health, and community systems. Vergeire was joined in the planning by DOH Undersecretary Maria Francia Laxamana, who is also the head of the department’s Special Concerns Team.

Currently, PNAC is supported by a number of development partners, who have pledged to continue working with the various member organizations to make HIV services more accessible.

The WHO, Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), AIDS Health Foundation (AHF), AIDS Society of the Philippines (ASP), Positive Foundation Philippines Incorporated (PAFPI), Pilipinas Shell Foundation., Action Health Initiative (AHI), Pinoy Plus Advocacy Pilipinas., and the Dangerous Drugs Board are among these organizations.

SOURCES:

https://doh.gov.ph/sites/default/files/publications/A%20Briefer%20on%20the%20PH%20Estimates%202020_08232021.pdf

https://www.undp.org/philippines/blog/standing-widening-gap-hiv

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1193752

Tags: AIDS, crisis, featured, HIV