Philippines: 11K were diagnosed with HIV in 2017

MANILA --The number of Filipinos found to be human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) – positive jumped from 9,264 in 2016 to 11,103 last year, with the daily average likewise rising from 26 to 31 over the period.

Of last year’s 11,103 cases, 1,415 had developed full-blown acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), with 497 recorded deaths, according to the December 2017 HIV/AIDS Registry of the Philippines (HARP) prepared by the Department of Health’s Epidemiology Bureau.

Of the figure, 10,586 were male, 5,581 were aged 25-34 years, and 3,451 belonged to the 15-24 years age bracket.

In December alone, 992 cases were recorded, 138 of which had progressed into full-blown AIDS, resulting in 69 deaths, according to the report.

Some 97 percent were male with a median age of 27 years. Half were in the 25-34 age group and 33 percent were 15 -24 years old.

The most common mode of transmission remained to be sexual contact, with 962 cases, 87 percent of which were males having sex with males (MSM).

The National Capital Region (NCR) topped the other regions with 351 cases; followed by Calabarzon with 147; Central Luzon (106); Central Visayas (74); Western Visayas (66); and Davao (41). Read more via PNA