The first HIV case in the Philippines was detected in 1984. In 2010, an estimated 8,700 adults and children were living with HIV, a substantial increase from the estimated 1,700 in 2001 [1]. The Philippine HIV & AIDS Registry had 6,015 reported HIV cases by the end of 2010, with one-third of all new infections being detected from 2008 to 2010 [2]. During same period, a cumulative total of 852 AIDS cases and 323 AIDS-related deaths had been reported [2].
Sexual transmission had been the leading mode of transmission as of December 2010, which accounted for 90% of reported cases [2]. Other known modes of transmission included perinatal transmission, injecting drug use, blood transfusion and needle prick injuries.
HIV prevalence is concentrated among key affected populations – men who have sex with men (MSM), injecting drug users (IDUs), sex workers, clients of sex workers and Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) [3]. The 2009 Integrated HIV and Behaviour Serologic Surveillance (IHBSS) revealed overall HIV prevalence of 0.99% among MSM [4] and 0.21% among IDUs (up from 0.1% in 2007) [4]. The same source found the syphilis prevalence to be 2.1% among MSM and 2.3% among IDUs. Although HIV prevalence among sex workers and their clients remains relatively low, the sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevalence among this group is increasing. In the 2009 IHBSS, 0.4% of registered FSWs and 2.4% of freelance FSWs tested positive for syphilis [5].
Since 1984, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), particularly those that are MSM or clients of FSWs had comprised as much as 52% (in 2002) of annual reported HIV cases [6]; although substantially lower at 18% in 2009 [7]. OFWs are among the most tested segments of the working population from the Philippines.
Among the vulnerability and risk factors include [8]: low rates of condom use; increasing casual sexual activity, particularly among young men aged 15-25; returning OFWs who participated in unprotected casual sex and other risky behaviour while overseas; widespread misconceptions about transmission of HIV, including low level of knowledge about prevention of HIV, especially among key affected populations and the youth; and high needle-sharing rates and use of unsterile needles/syringes among injecting drug users.
Sources:
[1] UNAIDS, Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic, 2010
[2] Philippine HIV and AIDS Registry, Department of Health, National Epidemiology Center, September 2010
[3] Philippine National AIDS Council (PNAC), UNGASS Country Report of the Philippines (January 2006 to December 2007), January 2008.
[4] Philippines, Integrated HIV and Behaviour Serologic Surveillance (IHBSS), 2009, cited in Philippines, Philippines National AIDS Council, UNGASS - Country Report of the Philippines, 2010
[5] National Epidemiology Center, This is it!, in IHBSS National Dissemination Forum, M. National Epidemiology Center -Department of Health, Philippines, Editor. 2009: Manila
[6] Philippine HIV and AIDS Registry, Department of Health, National Epidemiology Center, December 2009
[7] Philippines National AIDS Council, UNGASS - Country Report of the Philippines, 2010
[8] Farr AC, Wilson DP. An HIV epidemic is ready to emerge in the Philippines, J Int AIDS Soc. 2010 Apr 22;13:16
