91 cases of HIV acquired via paid sex in January

The other “special populations” being monitored by the health agency include children and adolescents and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). The DOH reported that in January, no children under 10 years old were reported to the HIV and AIDS Registry. But at least 18 adolescents aged 17 to 19 were reported infected through sexual contact.

At least 45 OFWs were reported to the registry, accounting for eight percent of the total newly diagnosed cases for January.

Earlier, the United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) attributed the “fast and furious” rise of HIV cases in the Philippines to low condom use.

UNAIDS data showed that less than 40 percent of men-having-sex-with men used condoms, while only 65 percent of sex workers practiced safe sex, noting that both were lower than the target 80-percent condom use among most-at-risk groups.

People-living-with-HIV advocate Wanggo Gallaga has renewed calls for the immediate implementation of sex education in schools to help curb the spread of HIV through sexual practices.

“What we have to do is  educate people properly. It has to start earlier. When it comes to health, the education is very shallow. They only teach biology in schools but we don’t talk about the consequences of sex,” Gallaga said.

HIV often leads to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), which is a deadly disease.