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Pinoy Abroad

Number of HIV-infected OFWs goes up by 73%


Some 166 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) were found to be infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), from January to July this year, or higher by 73 percent compared to the 96 OFWs who were diagnosed with HIV last year. Citing Philippine national HIV and AIDS registry data, Philippine party-list Rep. Arnel Ty said the new HIV cases brought to 1,688 the total number of OFWs infected with the highly contagious virus that destroys the immune system. In a statement issued on Tuesday, Ty said "OFWs are exceptionally at risk of acquiring HIV. Once they are exposed to foreign cultures, they tend to be more sexually active and put their guard down." "Commercial sex is also more readily available abroad. In fact, prostitution is legalized in some countries that host our OFWs," he added. More male than female HIV patients Of the 166 OFWs found to be HIV-positive, 85 percent (141) were male while 15 percent (25) were female. All were infected through unprotected sexual contact, Ty said. He also said out of the 1,688 Filipinos infected with HIV, OFWs comprise 23 percent. He also explained that 76 percent (1,286) of the 1,688 HIV patients were male while 24 percent (402) were female. The median age of all the HIV patients was 35 years old. Since 1984, a total of 7,235 Filipinos were found to be infected with HIV. Unprotected sexual contact In the statement, Ty, citing World Health Organization (WHO) records, said unprotected sexual contact remains the most predominant way by which HIV is transferred between persons. HIV causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), which has no known cure although new treatments can slow down the progress of the disease, Ty said. Ty is the author of a House resolution pushing for a congressional review of the country's AIDS Prevention and Control Law or Republic Act 8504. Ty has been batting for a bigger budget for AIDS prevention and welfare programs for HIV patients, among others. - VVP, GMA News

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