HIV-AIDS rise in Davao recorded an increase of 71 Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV-Aids) cases in Davao City from April to June, for a total of 234 cases since January this year.
From the 234 cases, 194 were found to have been afflicted with HIV while 40 others have full-blown Aids, of which 11 of them were females and 223 were males.
Davao City has recorded 1,661 cases of HIV-Aids since 1984.
Dr. Jordana Ramiterre, Davao chief of the Reproductive Health and Wellness Center (RHWC) the noticeable increase prompted them to intensify the campaign in coordination with other line agencies of government and health advocates.
“We have been intensifying our campaign, particularly on the prevention education. We have also been promoting the testing for free. It is available at RHWC and other hospitals here. We also do it in our outreach series,” Ramiterre said.
“Right information and education, are key tools to prevent the spread,” Ramiterre said adding that the center also has a peer education program wherein trained peer educators will look for others, educate them and encourage them to access free testing.
The increase was attributed to easier access to sex services, issue on sexual practices, and change of behavior among young generation.
Ramiterre said people vulnerable to the virus are those who engage into risky sexual behaviors, casual sex, multiple-partners, frequent change of partners and the same sexual relationship.
HIV is transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse (anal/vaginal), transfusion of contaminated blood, sharing of contaminated needles and between a mother and her infant during pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding.
HIV can be prevented by limiting sex partners, have less risky sex, not to inject drugs, get tested, knowing one’s partner’s status and by using protection.
But protection is not 100 percent helpful if a person is already HIV positive, Ramiterre added.-with reports from City Information Office
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