The health protocols implemented by the Department of Health because of the COVID-19 limited not only social interactions but also sexual activities of individuals vulnerable to aids, Cith Health Office Social Hygiene Section head Dr. Babylin Drilon said.
She said there are months with in the quarantine period that sexually-transmitted diseases were lower from the usual four cases per month reported. Dr. Drilon said maybe because also of late findings and reporting since most of the laboratories are also close .
Their are 664 actives cases of Aquired Immune DeffIciency Syndrome (aids) today as per record from the Bacolod City Health office. Dr Edwin Miraflor the officer in charge of the CHO said of the figure ,630 are male and only 34 are female .70 patients have died due to complications.
The age group with most number of cases is in 25 to 34 years old with 332 cases. Dr Miraflor added most of these patients are members of the LGBT group and male having sex with males.
This is the age bracket for active sexual practice and this also the sector of those who have started to earn their own income. Worker from Business Process Outsourcing top the number of patients in this age category. They are the most vulnerable sector since they work at night and their is a strong Influence of peer factor.
There are 178 cases for ages 15-25 years old and 122 cases for ages 35-49 years old. Their are 31 cases for 50 years old above. Miraflor added that the youngest patient in Bacolod is less than 15 years old.
With the program of the Department of Health, the patients are being treated with confidentiality. They are given medicines and admitted in an Isolation Facility.
Because of the Pandemic Information Dessimination thru on-line was strengthen for todays celebration of World Aids Day. This is to give awareness to the public espicially to the younger sector about the menace.
Dr. Miraflor said the CHO conducted today free testing and symposium in some BPO offices as part of the celebration. – MML
