The HARP categorizes men who reported male-male sexual contact and sexual contact with both males and females as men who have sex with men (DOH, 2015). In 2015, MSM comprised of 89% (6,465) of the total reported cases of MOT via sexual contact among men in the Philippines. Within the past five years, 87% (20,744) of sexually transmitted cases were among MSM. From the start of the epidemic in 1984, 85% (22, 525) of total reported sexually transmitted cases were among MSM. Overall, the rates of HIV positive MSM are significantly higher than those of the men who reported male-female sexual contact.
Determining if these increased rates reflect a definite increase of HIV infection among MSM or an increase of HIV positive men getting test while …show more content…
Then, reports of confirmed HIV positive individuals and blood units are sent to the DOH Epidemiology Bureau and are recorded in the report. Acknowledged limitations of the HARP is that only the HIV confirmation data by the NRL can be verified. Any other data, such as an individual’s current address or their address when infected, is considered secondary and cannot be verified (DOH, 2015). This limitation carries significant implications on data interpretations, specifically when interpreting demographic information. For example, in respect of geographical distribution, the region with the highest number of reported cases is Metropolitan Manila, the National Capital Region (NCR) with 13, 153 cases from January 1984 to December 2015 (DOH, 2015). Since it cannot be determined if the location of testing is the location of infection or of current residence for the tested individuals, it is imperative to carefully evaluate the data before reaching conclusions about the impact of geographical distribution on the epidemic. There is also the possibility of economically disadvantaged regions in the Philippines underreporting new HIV cases due to the lack of resources, the inaccessibility of testing facilities, inadequate laboratory support, and logistic issues that needs to be considered …show more content…
The current policy environment of the Philippines constrains the national AIDS response. This creates difficulties for implementing and scaling up effective, evidence-based strategies and possibly rendering the law unresponsive to the current HIV/AIDS situations (UNDP, 2013). Enforcement of the law suffers from general unawareness of the law’s existence, underfunding, and inadequate monitoring and coordination (UNDP, 2013). Other important constraints are connected to national policies that negatively impact the HIV/AIDS response. Existing anti-vagrancy, anti-sex laws, and anti-public scandal laws intended to promote “public order” are being used by police to target and harass female sex workers, MSM, and transgender people (UNDP, 2013). Anti-drug acts conflict with RA 8504’s promotion of HIV prevention services by prohibiting the distribution of clean needles and injection equipment as well as restricting the provision of information and services (UNDP, 2013). The unintended consequence of institutionalized stigma and discrimination is the further spread of HIV (UNDP,
Determining if these increased rates reflect a definite increase of HIV infection among MSM or an increase of HIV positive men getting test while …show more content…
Then, reports of confirmed HIV positive individuals and blood units are sent to the DOH Epidemiology Bureau and are recorded in the report. Acknowledged limitations of the HARP is that only the HIV confirmation data by the NRL can be verified. Any other data, such as an individual’s current address or their address when infected, is considered secondary and cannot be verified (DOH, 2015). This limitation carries significant implications on data interpretations, specifically when interpreting demographic information. For example, in respect of geographical distribution, the region with the highest number of reported cases is Metropolitan Manila, the National Capital Region (NCR) with 13, 153 cases from January 1984 to December 2015 (DOH, 2015). Since it cannot be determined if the location of testing is the location of infection or of current residence for the tested individuals, it is imperative to carefully evaluate the data before reaching conclusions about the impact of geographical distribution on the epidemic. There is also the possibility of economically disadvantaged regions in the Philippines underreporting new HIV cases due to the lack of resources, the inaccessibility of testing facilities, inadequate laboratory support, and logistic issues that needs to be considered …show more content…
The current policy environment of the Philippines constrains the national AIDS response. This creates difficulties for implementing and scaling up effective, evidence-based strategies and possibly rendering the law unresponsive to the current HIV/AIDS situations (UNDP, 2013). Enforcement of the law suffers from general unawareness of the law’s existence, underfunding, and inadequate monitoring and coordination (UNDP, 2013). Other important constraints are connected to national policies that negatively impact the HIV/AIDS response. Existing anti-vagrancy, anti-sex laws, and anti-public scandal laws intended to promote “public order” are being used by police to target and harass female sex workers, MSM, and transgender people (UNDP, 2013). Anti-drug acts conflict with RA 8504’s promotion of HIV prevention services by prohibiting the distribution of clean needles and injection equipment as well as restricting the provision of information and services (UNDP, 2013). The unintended consequence of institutionalized stigma and discrimination is the further spread of HIV (UNDP,