The Growing HIV Epidemic among Adolescents in the Philippines

Evidence from both the HIV/AIDS & ART Registry of the Philippines (HARP) and the 2015 Integrated HIV Behavioral and Serologic Surveillance (IHBSS) indicate an escalating HIV problem among Filipino adolescents.

From 2011 to 2015, newly diagnosed HIV cases among young key affected populations (YKAP) increased by 230%; of which, male to male sex and males who have sex with both males and females were the two predominant modes of transmission (58% and 26%, respectively). There were also 9% who were infected from sex between males and females. Notably, 7% of these new infections were transmitted through sharing of infected needles.