Prostitution causes rise in number of Filipinos infected with HIV

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More Filipinos Infected With HIV via Prostitution – www.plnmedia.com

The Philippines Department of Health reported that more Filipinos are infected with HIV through paid sex than ever before.

Since January 2015, the DOH has registered 91 cases of human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV. Those individuals all acquired the virus from prostitution.

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Of the 91 individuals recorded, 50 paid for sex, while 33 individuals accepted payment for sex. The remaining eight admitted to both.

Of the 91 persons, 83 were male and eight were female.

Since 2012 when DOH took to the task of recording known cases of HIV, there are have been 1,701 recorded cases of in the Philippines. The UN Programme for HIV/AIDS attributed the rising numbers to low condom use.

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In related news, an outbreak of HIV has been noted in Cebu prison, with numerous young men being diagnosed with the virus. An investigation into the matter has been launched while the inmates are being closely watched as not to spread the often deadly disease.