Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue at risk of HIV/AIDS

The cities of Lapu-lapu and Mandaue are included in the country's 11 zones at risk of Human Immuno-Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, according to a research.

Entitled "Eleven Philippine Zones at risk of HIV/AIDS: A Baseline Study," the research aimed to collect qualitative and quantitative data from 11 zones that were identified as at risk of HIV infection by the Philippine National AIDS Council.

The study, which was conducted by researchers Pilar Ramos-Jimenez, Merle I. Pimentel and Jowena T. Manalac, was submitted to the Philippine NGO Council for Population, Health and Welfare, Inc. It has gained support from the Global Fund for AIDS.

The 11 zones are classified into three clusters. The first cluster is composed of Bauang in La Union, San Fernando City in Pampanga, San Pablo City in Laguna, and Gumaca in Quezon.

The second cluster, which is found in the Bicol Region, includes the cities of Legazpi, Tabaco and Sorsogon, and Matnog municipality in Sorsogon.

Three zones that composed the third cluster located in the Visayas are the cities of Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue and Ormoc.

The most risky of the 11 zones is the municipality of Bauang, and the least are the cities of Tabaco and Mandaue.

Overseas Filipino Workers who are most at risk among the 10 zones are those in Lapu-Lapu City. The least risky are found in Mandaue City.

The possible explanation as to why Lapu-Lapu City has the most risky OFWS may be associated with the fact that more than two fifths of the survey respondents were seafarers who did not use condoms in the past three months.

The PNAC estimated that in the next five years, around 38,000 people are going to be at risk of acquiring HIV in the 11 zones.

Videoke bars and restaurants are the most common sexual establishments in these zones. Other places include port area, bus stations, malls, town plaza, public market and schools.

The research focused on the policies and programs of the local government units regarding sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS. - Mitchelle P. Calipayan