MikeLigalig.com

Despite Church objections to the promotion of condom use, Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral said it is intensifying the campaign, particularly in a community in Cebu City where 57 injecting drug users (IDUs) were found positive for HIV.

In an interview, Cabral said the Department of Health (DoH) is promoting ''consistent and correct use of condoms'' in addition to ''abstinence'' in Cebu and in other priority areas to avert transmission of sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV.

''It is very alarming since 1 out of 3 IDUs were found to have the HIV. They got HIV through sharing contaminated needles,'' Cabral said.

''But since they are also sexually active individuals at posibleng makaapekto sa community, nagbibigay din tayo ng malawakang kampanya para makaiwas sa ganitong sakit, at kasama na nga dito ang condom use,'' she said.

Cabral said the DoH is currently assessing if there is a need for the new HIV cases or the community to be given anti-retroviral therapy to suppress the HIV virus and stop the progression of HIV disease.

The DoH study at the community which investigated at least 170 people also found an increasing incidence of Hepatitis C, another infectious disease spread by blood-to-blood contact.

DoH-Epidemiologists also found an increasing incidence of HIV among men having sex with men (MSM), she said.

Dr. Eric Tayag, head of the National Epidemiology Center (NEC), said the DoH is concerned about the changes in the mode of transmission of the virus.

In the past, the most common modes of transmission were unsafe sex, exposure to contaminated blood and mother-to-child.

''We are very concerned, especially in Cebu City where HIV incidence was high among IDUs. We have already talked with the city health officials and they are doing everything to help contain the spread of the virus in that area,'' he said in a television interview.


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Of course! HIV infection is due to blood contact! Most common route for HIV spread is:

1. IV Drug abusers (sharing needles)
2. For homosexual men, it is anal intercourse, as the epithelial lining on the anus is quite thin, anal intercourse is the surest way to spread HIV amongst the homosexual male population (especially if they are practicing unprotected sex)
3. Blood transfusions (if the blood is not screened, not a concern in the United States, but is a concern for other nations)





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