Use as ‘meet up’
TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Health (DOH) in the region has raised alarm over the continued rise of HIV-AIDS cases in the region, with social media use and risky sexual behavior among young adults cited as major contributing factors.
Antonietta Diloy, program coordinator of the DOH’s HIV and AIDS Core Team (HACT), said in an interview on Friday, July 4, that individuals aged 25 to 34—considered part of the “working age” group—account for the highest number of cases in the region.
“As of the first quarter of 2025, out of the total 2,642 HIV-AIDS cases recorded in Eastern Visayas since 1988, 1,429 belong to the 25 to 34 age bracket,” Diloy said. “We can say that social media plays a role. Many in this age group have access to various dating applications which are often used to arrange meetups, sometimes leading to risky sexual behavior.”
To address the problem, the DOH has expanded its outreach beyond traditional methods like school visits and community-based campaigns. It has also begun using the same dating apps where potential at-risk individuals can be found.
“We are using these platforms not only to raise awareness but also to offer counseling and encourage testing,” Diloy added. “We’ve been receiving positive responses from users, which is encouraging.”
Diloy also noted that the region saw a sharp increase in HIV cases in the years following the pandemic, specifically in 2023 and 2024, which she described as “peak years” of HIV-AIDS monitoring in the region.
In 2023, 444 new cases were recorded with 30 deaths. In 2024, there were 436 new cases and 32 deaths. From January to April this year alone, 141 new cases have already been reported, with 10 deaths.
The most common mode of transmission in the region remains sexual contact, particularly among men who have sex with men, followed by heterosexual transmission and mother-to-child transmission.
Dr. Joey Julius Farma, DOH’s HIV medical coordinator, emphasized the importance of early detection and safe sexual practices.
“We are urging individuals, especially those with multiple sexual partners or those engaging in unprotected sex, to undergo HIV testing. The services are free and available across our 20 HIV-AIDS treatment hubs in the region,” he said.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system, specifically the CD4 cells (T cells), which help the immune system fight infections. If left untreated, HIV can lead to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), the most advanced stage of the infection.
There is currently no cure for HIV, but it can be controlled with proper medical care. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) allows people living with HIV to live long, healthy lives and significantly reduces the risk of transmission.
The DOH continues to stress the importance of education, safe sex practices, regular testing, and de-stigmatizing HIV to help reduce the number of cases and improve the quality of life for those already affected.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
