Prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS infections in Zamboanga City, Western Mindanao, Philippines

Abstract

Abstract. The Philippines has one of the fastest growing HIV epidemics in the world. This paper sought to determine the prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS infections in Zamboanga City, Western Mindanao. Secondary data were used in this study. The data were obtained from the City Health Office, Region 9, Zamboanga City, Philippines. Records showed that the first HIV/AIDS case in Zamboanga City was in 1995. A total of 468 HIV/AIDS cases were recorded from 1995-2018. HIV prevalence is much higher in males with 437 cases and females with 31 cases. It was in 2017 when the highest prevalence of HIV/AIDS was recorded. There was a continuous increase in number of cases from 1995 to 2017 and a decline in the year 2018. The most vulnerable to these infections were those Male having sex with male (MSM) with 401 of cases recorded. Among the recorded HIV cases, the age group of 25 to 34 years old were highly infected where through sexual contact was the predominant mode of transmission. This study revealed that the prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS cases in Zamboanga City, Western Mindanao had a significant increased.