Expert pushes for research into link between HIV/Aids and internet use in Philippines

Manila: Studies should be done to correlate the rising cases of HIV/Aids in the Philippines to the increasing use of the Internet and mobile phone among Filipinos, a researcher reportedly said.

Results of such studies could help doctors propose intervention programs on HIV/Aids through cyber technology to help prevent the continuing spread of the virus in the Philippines, Dr Ma Isabel Melgar, of the Aids Society of the Philippines (ASP) told the Star.

“There are studies done abroad on the correlation of HIV and Internet use. There’s none here, we are lagging behind (this approach),” Melgar said during a forum on social media and HIV/Aids.

Citing studies done abroad, Melgar said, “There were HIV-positive people who admitted having sex with those they met through social networking sites and text messaging.”

Sexual interaction via the internet

The prevalence (of HIV/Aids) is increasing (in the Philippines). Nobody really looked into it, if they (those who tested positive of HIV and Aids) had sexual interaction through the Internet or if they had sexual activity with their Internet partner,” complained Melgar.

There are strong indications that the rising cases of HIV/Aids in the Philippines are associated with the increasing number of Filipinos who are exposed to cyberspace and text messaging, Melgar said, adding that doctyors are alarmed over the correlation of the rising number of Filipinos with AID/HIV and the growing use of the Internet and mobile phones.

A study done by McCann-Erickson said that from year 2000 to 2005, Internet use had increased in the Philippines.

The rising use of social networking through mobile phones has increased not only among the upper class but among the poor, other studies said.

Sex workers tested

A total of 6,498 HIV/Aids cases have been recorded in the Philippines since 1984, when testing (on sex workers) began.

Cases of HIV/Aids among overseas Filipino worker are rising Unless a rising trend is abated radically, among Philippine-based Filipinos and OFWs, HIV-Aids cases will surge 5-fold by 2015, experts said.

With funding from Global Fund which is fighting Aids, tuberculosis, and malaria, ASP also offers free HIV testing