Many Filipinos still misinformed about AIDS

Many Filipinos lack adequate knowledge about the transmission and acquisition of AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases, Ferchito Avelino, the executive director of the Philippine National AIDS Council (PNAC), said on Sunday. “Filipinos have many misconceptions about the disease [AIDS], some even think that it can be acquired through mosquito bites, which is completely untrue,” according to Avelino.

He said that in view of the widespread misinformation about the disease, the Department of Health and PNAC are working together to educate the public about the disease and how it can be acquired.

Avelino named three modes of transmitting the disease — through unprotected penetrative sex (oral, anal and vaginal sex), through blood transfusion and blood products and through contraction of the virus by a mother, passing it on to her unborn child.

As part of their campaign to spread awareness about AIDS and protection against the virus, the DOH launched an AIDS awareness drive dubbed “Flowers and Condoms for Valentine’s.”

Under the campaign, the Health department will give away free condoms to individuals who are 18 years old and above.

The free condom drive has received heavy criticisms from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

According to the CBCP, the campaign seems to promote promiscuity in young couples.

“The project’s priority is to educate the youth, who are, undeniably, engaging in unprotected sex at a
younger age to protect themselves from serious sexual diseases like AIDS. We are promoting condoms as protection, not as a contraceptive,” Avelino said.

Despite the criticisms from the CBCP, he added that they are glad that the Catholic Church is finally opening up to the prospect of educating its parishioners about the dangers of unprotected sex.

“The Roman Catholic Church and the DOH are now working hand in hand to promote responsible sexual practices such as monogamy and abstinence,” Avelino said.

He added that they are working with the church on giving support to those who are already infected with AIDS. –JAN ERICK TUTAAN SPECIAL TO THE MANILA TIMES