Rising HIV cases blamed on lack of sex education

The Commission on Population and Development (CPD) blamed the rising number of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cases in the Philippines on the lack of sexual education knowledge among the younger population.

Recent data revealed 57 newly diagnosed HIV cases were recorded from January to March this year, a 500 percent spike in HIV cases among youth aged 15 to 24.

The Department of Health (DOH) likewise reported that the most alarming case was the youngest reported—a 12-year-old from Palawan.

Meanwhile, the most dominant mode of HIV transmission is sexual contact but has shifted to males having sex with males (MSM) since 2007.

Further, the CPD noted that the country also continues to experience a high number of adolescent pregnancy cases, with an alarming rise among 10- to 14-year-olds, from 2,411 births in 2019 to 3,343 live births in 2023.

The CPD stressed that the incidence of HIV infections and adolescent pregnancy "are two overlapping issues that show systemic gaps in accessing reproductive health education."

Citing the 2021 Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Study (YAFS5), the CPD underscored that young Filipinos "still lack accurate information about sex, HIV prevention, and contraceptive use."

Further, key findings from the 2022 Integrated HIV and Behavioral and Serologic Surveillance Report showed low comprehensive knowledge and dangerous misconceptions about HIV.

The report revealed that only 36 percent of MSM correctly answered all five basic HIV questions (e.g., condom use, transmission myths), and awareness drops among youth aged 15 to 17.

Over 45 percent of respondents wrongly believed withdrawal before ejaculation reduces HIV risk. Also, only 56 percent of MSM and 64 percent of transgender women (TGW) knew that HIV treatment (ART) exists.

“The well-being of our young people, on which our future depends, is at stake if these sexual and reproductive health [issues] are not addressed," CPD Executive Director Usec. Lisa Grace S. Bersales said.

“We call on educators, institutions, local governments, especially parents and families, and other stakeholders to join us in this critical effort. Investing and ensuring that every youth is protected and their potentials are developed is the key to a progressive family, community, and eventually our country,” Bersales continued.

The CPD, through the Philippine Population and Development Plan of Action (PPD-POA) 2023-2028 and the Comprehensive Action Plan for the Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy in the Philippines for 2025-2028, emphasizes the importance of a stronger and broader approach, including intensified age- and development- and culturally sensitive reproductive health education.

Breaking the cycle of HIV transmission and unplanned pregnancies also needs to strengthen the policy environment to include the enactment of the proposed national policy on Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention and intensified implementation of the Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Act (RA 11166), Bersales furthered.

There is also a need to build the capacity of parents in educating their children about sexual and reproductive health, according to the CPD official.

As part of the Commission’s strategy in advancing adolescent health and development, the CPD continues to pursue initiatives to build the capacities of concerned institutions to enable young people to address these emerging sexual and reproductive health concerns.

For this, the CPD is closely working with local government units in promoting adolescent health programs such as Parent-Teen Talk, I Choose #MalayaAkongMaging, and ProtectTEEN (social protection program for adolescent mothers and their children).

The CPD also advocates for the establishment of teen centers as part of the Seal of Good Local Governance for local government units and consolidates the Comprehensive Action Plan Towards the Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancies, the different initiatives of all government agencies and institutions as part of the implementation of Executive Order 141 or making Teenage Pregnancy an Urgent National Priority.