City has no HIV case in 2007
Customers of flesh trade in the city must have been enjoying their usual routine as there is no recorded HIV (Human Immuno-deficiency virus) case in Iloilo City in 2007. The only sexually transmitted infection recorded among the Registered Female Sex Workers (RFSW) and female Freelance Sex Workers (FLSW) here is syphilis.
The 2007 result of the Integrated HIV Behavioral and Serologic Surveillance conducted by the City Health Office (CHO) led by Dr. Urminico Baronda indicated that "tests made on all RFSW and FLSW serologic surveillance participants show that they are negative for HIV."
However, the syphilis test results show that two RFSWs and 11 FLSWs are positive for syphilis.
Meanwhile, additional data shows that the top six work clients of the RFSWs are: private sector employee which is 31.3 percent; businessman/trader 27.7 percent; government employee 18 percent; construction worker, doctor, driver, OFW, painter and retirees 8.7 percent; student 4.7 percent and sailor with 4 percent.
The report which was presented by Dr. Ma. Odeta B. Villaruel, City STI coordinator, in yesterday's Integrated HIV Behavioral and Serologic Surveillance 2007 local dissemination forum identified the "top six work of clients of RFSW and FSW" in 2007.
The top six clients of FLSWs, are businessman/trader with 25.8 percent; private sector employee 21.1 percent; student 19.5 percent; unemployed 9.5 percent; don't know (sex workers have no idea of their work), 7.9 percent and government employees with 7.4 percent.
RFSWs are female sex workers who are based in establishments and they may or may not have a health card. While, FLSWs are those who are not based in the establishments and may or may not also have a health card.
The amount paid by clients to RFSWs range from P500 to P60,000. The report said 16.3 percent of clients pay P500 to the RFSW. While, 15.3 percent of the clients pays P1,000; 10.3 percent pays P5,000; 9.7 percent pays P3,000; 9 percent pays P1,500 and 7.3 percent pays P2,000.
According to Villaruel, the RFSW who received a P60,000 payment was "devirginized" by the client. No other detail was disclosed regarding the RFSW.
While, the payment for FLSW ranges from P100 to P6,000. Clients who pay P500 to FSW reached to 24 percent; 14.8 percent of the clients pay P1,000; 14.4 percent pays P800; 13.6 percent pays P1,500; 6.4 percent pays P700 and 4.4 percent pays P300.
The study was conducted to quantify the magnitude of the infection; understand how HIV is spreading in the Philippines, assist in HIV/AIDS program planning, advocate for prevention/care services and aid in program evaluation. Blood samples were taken from the respondents.
Iloilo City and Cebu are among the cities in the Visayas being monitored for the HIV/AIDS cases.
The other cities in Luzon that are also being monitored are Pasay, Quezon City, Angeles and Baguio. While, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, General Santos and Zamboanga, all in Mindanao are also being monitored for HIV/AIDS cases.