ANGELES CITY– Cases of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) in this city were noted to have increased by 7.84 percent, all the victims being female freelance workers aged from 18 to 25.
The study, conducted by a group headed by Dr. Richard Velez, head of the department of medicine of the Sacred Heart Hospital here, also noted an average increase of four human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cases in this city every year since 1985.
“The registry showed a total of 93 confirmed cases of HIV infection from 1985 to 2011. The disease incidence distribution was irregular but the average incidence is about 4 positive cases per year.
Unfortunately the records did not classify the demographic characteristics of the positive population,” the study also said.
The study also noted “at least eleven reported confirmed deaths from the reported (HIV) positive population”, adding that “the status of the majority of the cases was undetermined or lost to follow-ups.”
The city health office attributed the rise in the reported STD cases to the local government’s intensified campaign for freelance sex workers to “come out in the open” and have themselves tested for free.
“Even freelance sex workers are now having more confidence in the capacity of the government to give them free and modern medical treatment,” said city information officer Deo Sambilay.
This was confirmed by the study which also noted that “the proportions of STD positive cases to the total number of initial consultation visits in 2010 and 2011 likewise increased from 18 to 21 percent respectively.”
The study said majority of the STI positive cases involve those aged from 18 to 25, noting that “non-gonococcal infections remained to be the most common STD causation.”
“There were no reported male client positive for STD,” the study said, attributing this “to the fact that majority of the male sex workers went to accredited private clinics for consultations.”
The study was based largely on the registry record of the Reproductive and Wellness Center (RHWC) of the City Health Office here.
“The incidence of STDs increased by 7.84 percent from 2010 to 2011 despite the counseling and condom distribution program of the RHWC,” the study also said.
Angeles City is one of the a priority area of the Philippine government for STD control and HIV prevention, along with the National Capital Region, the ‘Southern Tagalog region and Region 7.
The study noted that in October last year, the city council passed an ordinance mandating attendance of operators, manager, and workers of all entertainment establishments here in annual seminars conducted by the RHWC as a requirement for business permit.
All workers in the entertainment industry are also required to undergo weekly medical examination at the RHWC or accredited private clinics approved by the city government.
