Study: HIV prevention, coverage progressing slowly in Phl

A study has found that prevention and insurance coverage for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the Philippines "remain low," despite various efforts aimed at reducing the epidemic. The study, titled "Trends in Knowledge, Attitude, and Perceptions about HIV among Filipinos During and After the Covid-19 pandemic," revealed that the Philippines has been the most affected country in the Asia Pacific by the HIV epidemic in the past decade.

In 2012, nine new HIV cases were diagnosed daily in the country. However, by 2023, this number dramatically increased by 500 percent, with 50 new HIV cases diagnosed each day.

The study, published by Acta Medica Philippina, also found that 31 percent of new HIV infections occurred among individuals aged 15 to 24.

Of those infected in this age group, 96 percent were male, and 83 percent were men who have sex with men. Additionally, 17 percent of newly diagnosed individuals had advanced HIV at the time of diagnosis.

Despite new programs aimed at HIV prevention, including expanded access to antiretroviral therapy, efforts to promote HIV treatment as prevention, and increased national insurance coverage for HIV treatment, progress has been slow.

It is estimated that only 68 percent of persons living with HIV (PLHIV) in the Philippines are aware of their HIV serostatus.

Furthermore, the uptake of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among high-risk individuals remains low, despite promising results from pilot implementation projects. PrEP, a medicine for HIV-negative individuals at high risk of exposure, reduces the risk of acquiring HIV but is not a cure.

The Department of Health (DoH) conducted a study in 2018 that showed a decrease in HIV prevention knowledge and health-seeking behavior among Filipino youth, with awareness dropping from 40 percent in 2015 to 32 percent in 2018.

Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa noted that the current HIV testing rate is only 66 percent, underscoring the need for greater awareness and access to testing.

To address the issue of HIV stigma, the DoH has promoted the "U=U" (Undetectable equals Untransmissible) message. This guideline emphasizes that PLHIV who maintain an undetectable viral load are unable to transmit the virus, reducing the risk of transmission to their partners and children.

The Asia Pacific region has the world’s second-largest HIV epidemic, following the African region. In 2023, the region had an estimated 6.7 million PLHIV and saw 150,000 AIDS-related deaths.

The Philippines, specifically, had over 215,000 cases of HIV by the end of 2024. The primary mode of HIV transmission in the country is sexual contact, followed by sharing of infected needles and blood transfusions.