OTHER SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS
STIs are co-factors for HIV transmission. Epidemiological studies show that risk for HIV increases among individuals with STI. STI prevalence studies are also used as primary indicators of sexual behavior that makes one vulnerable to HIV infection. In the country, through the DOH's HIV sentinel surveillance program, particular populations are monitored for STI infection due to their risky behaviors and situations.
Reports on STIs mainly come from social hygiene clinics (SHC) where sex workers ar regularly tested as a prrequisite for their work permits. From 1993 to 1999, the number or STI cases rported annually averaged about 35,500. Government agencies and non-governmental organizations conducted similar surveillance activites among other population groups. According to behavioral and special STI prevalence studies conducted by the NHSS and Family Health International (FHI), there seems to be a potential for the rapid transmission of HIV/AIDS due to unsafe sexual practices an high STI rates.
High STI infection rates have been observed among sex workers. FHI's 1999 STI/RTI Prevalence Study shows a 36 percent chlamydial infection rate among female sex workers in Angeles City.
In recent years, STI prevalence studies on the general population, mainly among women, have been conducted. FHI's 1999 STI/RTI study reports that the prevalnece rates of gonorrhea and chlamydia are higher among younger people. Young people are at risk of serious complications of infections. Infection rates among the youth, especially among young men, indicate high-risk sexual behavior and poor reproductive and sexual health awareness.
ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE
Due to misconceptions regarding the treatment of STIs, antibiotics are often misused. This leads to new strains of resistant bacteria, making treatment of STIs more difficult and costly.
A study by Aplasca delos Reyes in 2000 found 63 percent of the female sex workers infected with gonorrhea were resistant to ciprofloxacin. Risk for gonococcal infection is associated with having sex with a new client, self-prescribed prophylactic antibiotic use, work in brothels, and inconsistent condom use.
OPPORTUNISTIC INFECTIONS
As HIV progresses it weakens the body's immune response to illness and infections. People living with HIV/AIDS are prone to several opportunistic infections, one of which is tuberculosis. In the Philippines, 36 percent of people infected with HIV have active tuberculosis.
