2,916 HIV cases since 1984 – DOH

Since 1984, a total of 2,916 cases of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have been recorded by the Department of Health (DOH), a report showed yesterday.

The figure, however, falls way below the 10,000 HIV cases international experts projected the Philippines to have five years ago, or two decades after the disease was discovered.

The report, prepared by the DOH’s National Epidemiology Center (NEC), showed that 26 percent, or 770 of the 2,916 cases, have developed into full-blown
cases of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). The report covered the period of January 1984 to July 2007.

“More than half (58 percent) of the cases were in the 25 to 39 years age group. Sixty six percent (1,908 cases) were males,” the NEC said.

Sexual intercourse, which accounts for 87 percent of the cases, was the leading mode of transmission of the AIDS virus. This was followed by perinatal – in which the virus is transmitted by a mother to her unborn child – transfusion of contaminated blood, drug use by injection and needle pricks.

But of the AIDS cases, 304 or 40 percent were already dead at the time of the report due to various complications.

The report further showed that of the HIV/AIDS cases, 1,017 were overseas Filipino workers - of which 337 were seafarers - followed by domestic helpers (172), employees (91), entertainers (78) and health workers (62).