HIV infections among young people expected to increase by 2030, says AIDS society

By the year 2030, more young people aged 15 to 24 are projected to be diagnosed with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), the AIDS Society of the Philippines (ASP) reported Monday.

“Let’s look at our young people kasi they are now getting infected… The estimate is that by 2030, which is above four years from now, I just don’t know baka nagbago ‘to, baka tumaas pa ‘yan. Makikita ninyo that we are estimating that the majority of our infections will be among the young people,” ASP President Dr. Rossana Ditangco said.

(Let’s look at our young people because they are now getting infected… The estimate is that by 2030, which is around four years from now—though I don’t know, this might change or go even higher—you will see that we are estimating that the majority of our infections will be among young people.)

“... Talagang magpe-predominate na siya. Paakyat nang paakyat and mostly young people, if wala talaga tayong ginagawa,” she added.

(... It will really become predominant. The numbers are continuously rising, mostly among the youth, if we do not take action.)

In the projected data presented by ASP, around 47,029 HIV cases by 2030 would belong to the 15 to 24 age group, while 17,446 would come from those aged 25 to 30.

Delayed access to services

According to Ditangco, a 2015 study by the Department of Health (DOH) found that risky behaviors among individuals in their sexual activities start early, but access to services remains delayed, putting young people at greater risk of contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.

“How about the female sex workers? The first sex is at age 17. First paid sex and first condom use, age 20. Again, there’s a delay. So in between, nahahawa na sila or nakakapanghawa na sila, di ba?” Ditangco explained.

(How about female sex workers? Their first sexual encounter occurs at age 17, while their first paid sex and initial condom use happen at age 20. Once again, there is a delay, during which they can contract or transmit infections.)

“Ito namang mga MSM [men having sex with men], first sex and first anal sex… 16 at 17 years old pero ang first condom use ay 18 [years old]. So may delay. So in between that, pwede nang mahawa,” she added.

(As for men who have sex with men, their first sexual experience and first anal intercourse occur at ages 16 and 17, but their first condom use is at age 18. Because of this gap, transmission can already occur.)

Ditangco urged the public, especially government agencies and stakeholders, to provide young individuals with proper sex education and encourage responsible participation in sexual activities before they become sexually active.

The ASP said data show that among the general population of young males and females, only 17% have comprehensive knowledge about HIV.

“Studies have shown that people who use condoms consistently are the ones who used it during their sexual debut kasi they don’t know na the difference. Kasi ‘pag nag-umpisa ka ng sex nang walang condom at pinag-condom ka, parang hindi mo na gusto,” Ditangco said.

(Studies show that consistent condom users are those who used them during their first sexual experience, as it sets the baseline. If one begins having sex without a condom, introducing it later becomes much harder.)

“... So dapat talaga ‘yung pagse-sexual debut may condom na para talagang masanay silang gumamit ng condom subsequently. Ang condom pa naman napakaimportanteng intervention niyan for safety,” she added.

(... Condom use should ideally begin at sexual debut to build a consistent habit. Condoms remain an indispensable safety intervention.)

Further showing the disparity in access to services, the ASP noted that young MSM aged 15 to 17 face similar risks as older MSM, yet they have less access to condoms.

Destigmatizing, holistic approach

While a lack of condom access contributes to the growing number of HIV cases among young people, the ASP stressed that it is not the root cause of the country's HIV epidemic.

According to Ryan Pinili, a DOH-certified trainer in HIV Counseling and Testing, stigma and misconceptions heavily hinder efforts to raise awareness about HIV and assist people living with the virus in seeking treatment and support.

“We have to destigmatize kasi meron pa rin po tayong pananaw na pag nag-avail ng condom, nag-avail ng PrEP—kakanood lang po namin kanina, meron pong isang sikat na personalidad… mayroon po siyang masamang pagtingin sa PrEP and PEP, ang kailangan daw ituro ay abstinence.But the choice is nasa tao po,” Pinili said.

(We have to destigmatize because we still have that perspective that when you avail of condoms or avail of PrEP—we were just watching earlier, there is a famous personality… they have a bad view of PrEP and PEP, saying what should be taught is abstinence. But the choice is with the person.)

“... We have to destigmatize at kailangan sabihin natin kung saan po makakakuha ng readily-available na commodities. Libre naman po itong pinamimigay ng ating gobyerno,” he added.

(.. We have to destigmatize and make sure to inform people where they can get readily available commodities. These are distributed by our government for free.)

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a pill or injection that can reduce the chances of getting HIV, or stop the spread of HIV in the body once a person is exposed.

Meanwhile, post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is taken within 72 hours by an HIV-negative person who has been or may have been exposed to HIV to reduce the risk of HIV transmission.

Pinili reminded the public that when a person living with HIV undergoes treatment and is declared to have an undetectable viral load, they are unable to transmit the virus to their sexual partners.

In an appeal to agencies and institutions, Ditangco emphasized the importance of adopting a holistic approach to HIV prevention and treatment in the country.

“Kaya nga ang ating prevention strategy must be a combination. Hindi pwedeng biomedical lang, na condom lang, PrEP and ARV. Dapat holistic— you address the emotional, the psychological, the social issues at different ages. Kasi pine-prepare mo na 'yung tao to behave responsibly,” Ditangco said.

(That’s why our prevention strategy must be a combination. It cannot be purely biomedical, relying solely on condoms, PrEP, and ARVs. It must be holistic—you need to address emotional, psychological, and social issues across different ages. That is how you prepare a person to behave responsibly.)

HIV epidemic

At present, the ASP noted that HIV in the Philippines can be considered an epidemic due to the increasing case counts and the rapid increase in data in recent years.

From January to March 2026, the Philippines logged 4,367 diagnosed HIV cases.

Data show that sexual contact remains the primary mode of transmission during the first quarter of 2026, with male-to-male contact accounting for the highest number of cases at 3,095, followed by contact with both male and female partners at 567.

Meanwhile, male-to-female sexual contact recorded 331 cases among males and 221 among females.

The ASP added that the occurrence of mother-to-child transmission is particularly concerning, with nine male and four female cases reported.

Ditangco emphasized that the DOH maintains zero tolerance for mother-to-child transmission, reiterating its call for universal testing among pregnant women.

Cases involving the sharing of infected needles were also recorded, with one case each reported for males and females. —LDF, GMA News