HIV cases soar among call-centre workers in the Philippines

MANILA: The rate of new HIV infections has seen a 25 per cent drop in the last decade. However, in the Philippines, the number of people infected has risen – particularly among call-centre workers.

Since the first recorded HIV case in the Philippines in 1984, there has been an increase in the number of Filipinos infected with HIV.

Figures from the Health Department reveal that there are currently 6,498 HIV/AIDS cases in the country.

However, according to the World Health Organization, there’s an estimated 11,200 undocumented and unreported HIV and AIDS cases in the country.

HIV/AIDS victims in the Philippines are also getting younger.

According to the United Nations, more Filipino youth aged 20 to 24 are getting infected with HIV, and cases are soaring especially among young professionals working in the call-centre industry.

In a study conducted by the state university’s population institute, young Filipinos working in the call-centre industry tend to engage in risky sexual behavior due to environment and peer pressure.

The Health Department now warns that HIV/AIDS cases in the country could likely increase by five-fold or at an alarming rate of 45,000 by 2015, if Filipinos continue with their unsafe sex practices.

Health officials point out that the influential Catholic Church’s hardline stance against the use of condoms is affecting their campaign against the spread of HIV/AIDS.

They are hoping that the Church softens its stand on the promotion of condom use to help prevent the alarming spread of HIV/AIDS in the country. – CNA/cc