Current Hiv/Aids Situation In The Philippines And Its Present-Day Socio-Economic Impact

Introduction

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) was first recognized as a new disease in 1981 when increasing numbers of young homosexual men succumbed to unusual opportunistic infections and rare malignancies. A retrovirus, now termed human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), was subsequently identified as the causative agent of what has since become one of the most devastating infectious diseases to have emerged in recent history. In the Philippines, the subtype CRF01_AE is the most dominant subtype which is linked to Men who have sex with men (MSM) transmission, making it a reasonable representation of the current molecular epidemiology profile.

Demographics

The below table shows the number of new HIV cases by month from 2015 up to June 2018. This came from the Epidemiology Bureau of the Department of the Health (DOH)3,4.

The HIV/AIDS & ART Registry of the Philippines (HARP) reflected that there have been 56,275 confirmed HIV cases that were reported, with 94% (56,622) were male and 6% (3,642) were female. The median age was 28 years old. More than half (28,773 or 51%) were from the 25-34 year age group while 15,834 (28%) were youth 15-24 years old. The predominant age group among those diagnosed has shifted from 35-49 years old between 2001 to 2005, to 25-34 years old starting from 2006. From January 1984 to June 2018, sexual contact among MSM was the predominant (84%, 44,242) mode of transmission among males, and more than half of this (53%, 23,417) of MSM were 25-34 years old at the time of testing.

Commentaries on the Current Trend of HIV/AIDS in the Country

One of the main reasons that contribute to the current trend especially the affected age group is that the majority of them are working, meaning, they can buy whatever they want, including going to gay bars to relieve stress from work. Call center industry has been known to have significant number of cases of HIV/AIDS in the country, since it has a reputation for permissiveness absorbing the culture of the West whom they serve, with incidents where the patients are caught in the sleeping quarters and other locations having sex.

Modern technology also played a big role on spreading the disease, such as having gay dating app sites readily available for download, where gays can meet and have sex with other gays through chatting. They can do this anytime of the day, as long as both their situations are convenient for them to meet, even without knowing each other fully.

The author asked one HIV/AIDS counselor, and he theorizes that gays are audacious to continue their flamboyant sexual activities because they are aware that anti-retroviral drugs are offered for free and that they are supported by the government. He also mentioned that even though Philippines is a Catholic country, the society is laxer in accepting male to male relationships. This is the downside of LGBT acceptance, where freedom is not being exercised responsibly.

Socio-economic Impact

HIV attacks CD4 cells, which help to find and destroy bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other invasive germs6. Without enough CD4 cells to fight them off, opportunistic infections such as candidiasis, tuberculosis, and pneumocystis pneumonia, and as such, it will bring about an increase in the hospitalization, thus incurring expenses not only on the individual but also to the family. Rather than portioning out the funds of the individual/family to manage the disease itself, it is being doled out in managing complications. It is said that the cause of death among HIV/AIDS patients is not caused by the disease itself, but the complications obtained throughout the disease process. On a societal level, the government is expected to support the expenses of HIV/AIDS patients, as evidenced by free anti-retroviral drugs (ART). Part of the health budget is being utilized on purchasing ART and other HIV/AIDS related activities, instead of allocating these funds to other important health concerns.

HIV/AIDS infects people at the peak of their productive and income generating years, as reflected by the current trend which affects the majority of people ages 25-34 years old. Due to the complications brought about by HIV/AIDS, patients were forced to leave their jobs and focus on their treatment, therefore losing their capacity to earn not just for themselves but also for their families. Members of the families were also affected. A study conducted by Taraphdar, et. al in India showed that spouses are forced to care for their sick family members and eventually quitting their jobs. This will lead the families to face high expenditures and suffer drastic income cuts. The effect of this phenomenon can also be felt at a macroeconomic scale, lessening the productivity and labor supply of the country, especially now that the disease trend focus on the working age population. The figures presented by a study carried out in Kenya revealed that with the high mortality and morbidity of the most productive labor force in their country, the results projected that HIV/AIDS would lower GDP by 14. 5%. Similarly, per capita income was predicted to decline by 10%.

Most importantly, the stigma created by the disease can greatly affect the wellbeing of the patients. Even though the patients can still work despite their illness because of effective disease management, majority of the employers are still adamant on accepting or retaining employees because of their condition. An article released by Human Rights Watch on their website cited a case about “Kevin”, a call center from Cagayan de Oro. He said he had no idea what he could do after his company forced him to resign. He said he lose not only his employment but also the benefits that is due to him after he left. This a sad reality that the government are still trying to combat, with the aid of Republic Act 8504 that protects the HIV/AIDS positives against discrimination in the workplace. HIV/AIDS advocates feel that the law is not as compelling as it should be, but we, as persons who are working on public health, should help in addressing these issues. On our end, we can craft programs on promoting safe sex through relentless education and partnering with public and private stakeholders in strengthening the endeavor to fight this disease.