BUTUAN CITY – There are more males infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) compared to females in the Caraga Region, a top official of the Department of Health in the region (DOH-13) said.
DOH-13 director Jose R. Llacuna, Jr. told Philippine News Agency (PNA) on Thursday that they have recorded a total of 705 HIV cases in the region as of June 2019.
Of the total number of cases since 2014, 668 or 94.7 percent are males while 37 cases or 5.3 percent are females.
Records show that the region recorded 63 cases in 2014 that increased to 86 in 2015; 95 cases in 2016; 121 cases in 2017; 158 in 2018; and, up to 705 cases as of June this year.
He said most of HIV cases in the region are recorded in the province of Agusan del Norte, with 274 cases.
“The record in Agusan del Norte is high because of Butuan City with 210 cases,” he added.
Recorded cases of HIV in provinces include 144 cases in Agusan del Sur that include 26 cases in Bayugan City; 140 cases in Surigao del Norte, including the 84 cases in Surigao City; 139 cases in Surigao del Sur, including the 26 cases in Tandag City and 29 cases in Bislig City; and four cases in the Province of Dinagat Islands.
“The trend of the HIV cases in Caraga Region is going up,” Llacuna said, while also pointing out that HIV carriers in Caraga are getting younger.
DOH-13 records show that 49 percent of those infected are aged 25 to 34 years old, and 33.5 percent are aged 15 to 24 years old.
“Most were infected through sexual contact with 698 cases,” he said, adding that most of the sexual contacts they recorded that transmit HIV in the area are through “men who have sex with men” or MSM.
In the midst of the increasing number of persons infected with HIV in Caraga, Llacuna said DOH-13 is intensifying its campaign and advocacy for people to have themselves tested for HIV.
“The test is free. If one is found positive of HIV then the medicines for treatment are also free,” Llacuna said.
He also thanked various groups that help the agency in their campaigns urging people to come out and subject themselves for HIV testing.
“An HIV positive still has a chance to live with the support of medication,” he said, citing cases of those HIV positives who still survive for years.
Llacuna added that Caraga has four testing and treatment centers for HIV, to include the Caraga Regional Hospital, the D.O Plaza Memorial Hospital, Butuan City Medical Center, and the Adela Ty Memorial Medical Center. (PNA)
