DOH expert on World AIDS Day: Knowledge of condom-use low among youth

A stronger sex education among the population particularly the youth is needed to prevent spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, a health expert said on Thursday.

During a webinar in observance of World AIDS Day, HIV and AIDS program expert Roland Sardan said that there was a lack of proper education about the use of prevention methods such as condoms and lubricants.

Sardan is with the Disease Prevention and Control Bureau of the DOH.

“But through isang survey sa mga kabataan na tungkol sa kaalaman nila sa paggamit ng condom, we have seen that the knowledge on the use condom is really very low among youth. Isa ito sa mga kailangan nating tutukan yung inclusive sexuality education among our youth and population,” Sardan said.

Danvic Rosadiño, program and innovations director of LoveYourself Inc., said that lack of proper sex education was one of the reasons for the rising cases of HIV, STI, and teenage pregnancies in the country.

He said it was important to discuss sex education without any malice so there is “shy or fear” in accessing the services in health facilities.

“Hindi natin napaguusapan ang sex na hindi siya bastos at kapag napaguusapan natin ang sex mas naeexplore natin kung paano natin mas naalagaan yung sarili natin,” Rosadiño said.

“Kapag tinrato din natin ang sex na hindi bastos saka tayo nagkakaroon ng hindi ka na nahihiya ngayon na pumunta sa mga health facilities para magpatest, para kumuha ng condoms at PrEP or re-exposure prophylaxis at kung ano mang protektion na dapat para sayo,” he added.

Dr. Loyd Norella, HIV program manager of Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc., advised the public that they must assess their own risk on what kind of behavior they are engaging in.

He said that they could opt to use several options including condoms, lubricants, and PrEP that are available for free in some government and non-government facilities.

Norella said persons living with HIV can avail of free medicines in treatment hubs, community centers, and even private clinics.

“Ngayon if you are reactive and and you need to be enrolled into treatment, ngayon you can get free meds in most of our treatment hubs and even in our community centers and even in our private clinics. We don’t have a vaccine yet, we don’t have a cure yet for HIV but we have effective treatment,” Norella said.

“Ang person living with HIV na nagstart ang treatment yung antiretroviral treatment, in as early as three months to six months kapag chineck yung kanyang viral load test at maganda ang kanyang compliance, may possibility na undetectable na siya,” he added.

Sardan said free testing for HIV could be availed of in public hospitals and primary HIV care and treatment hubs. He said there are 184 treatment hubs and primary HIV care facilities nationwide.

“We are really seeing the 15 to 24 year old age bracket as very critical tinitignan namin siya mabuti because this is soon will be the labor force and if the affected clients at these age group will not seek treatment they will develop various opportunities of infection and it will affect their capability to contribute to the labor force and it will cascade to economic problems,” he said.

He then advised persons living with HIV that “there is life after HIV diagnosis.”

The HIV and AIDS program expert encouraged them to be adherent to the medications and treatment while enjoying the best quality of life.

"There are many success stories that they have become productive members of society. Even more productive than the other members of society. With proper medication like the antiretrovirals, you can have the best quality of life that you have while we wait for the HIV vaccines,” Sardan said.

“So be adherent to treatment and enjoy your life with the best quality of life that you have and we will get there soon,” he added. —NB, GMA Integrated News