284 HIV cases reported in November 2012 – DOH

MANILA, Philippines - More individuals continue to acquire the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) as the Department of Health (DOH) reported that 284 new infections were registered last November.

The figure includes 24 full-blown acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) cases at the time of reporting. 

The new cases bring to 3,045 the number of HIV cases in 2012 and the number of infections since 1984 to 11,409.

Based on the DOH’s Philippine HIV and AIDS Registry, the 284 new cases are 34 percent higher compared to the 212 infections in November 2011. 

There were no deaths reported in 2012, but since 1984, the DOH has recorded 353 deaths.

“Reported modes of transmission were sexual contact (282) and needle sharing among injecting drug users (two). Males having sex with other males (82 percent) were the predominant type of sexual transmission,” according to the registry.

The ages of the new cases ranged from 17 to 59, with the 20-29 age group accounting for 52 percent of all cases.

Forty-seven percent of the 284 cases came from Metro Manila, followed by Calabarzon with 17 percent; Central Luzon and Southern Mindanao each with eight percent, and Central Visayas with six percent.

The registry showed that overseas Filipinos workers accounted for 35 percent of the new cases.

“There were 32 males and three females. The median age was 32 years (age range: 21-52 years). All acquired the infection through sexual contact (12 heterosexual, 16 homosexual, and seven bisexual),” according to the registry.

The registry also showed that of the 3,045 HIV infections in 2012, 172 have progressed into AIDS. 

Of these cases, 169 got infected through sexual contact — 98 homosexual; 41 bisexual and 30 heterosexual. Two cases were through mother-to-child transmission and one through needle sharing of injecting drug users.

Of the 11,409 cases since 1984, a 1,154 have developed into AIDS, with the ages ranging from one to 81.

“Ninety-two percent (10,517) were infected through sexual contact, four percent (435) through needle sharing among injecting drug users; one percent (59) through mother-to-child transmission; less than one percent (20) through blood transfusion and needle prick injury (three),” the registry showed.