What factors contributed to the low HIV prevalence in the Philippines found by serological tests?

Other countries in similar situations as the Philippines have been found to have much higher rates of infection with HIV. While it was once believed that the virus infected certain ethnic groups or races more easily than others, there is no evidence to suggest that this is the case. Filipinos can become infected with HIV just as easily as any other nationalities can.

The National HIV/AIDS Sentinel Surveillance System presents a number of postulates indicating factors for the low transmission of HIV in the Philippines so far.

Female sex workers (FSWs) in the Philippines have less sexual partners.

It is common in some other countries to find FSWs who have no other source of income other than prostitution, and have to provide such service daily, often repeatedly, to be able to support themselves. In the Philippines, most FSWs work in nightclubs or other such establishments where they receive some form of income from ladies' drinks or other sources. Most Filipino FSWs do not entertain more than one partner a day, oftentimes not even engaging in sex at all in some days.

Filipino males have less exposure to FSWs.

While men in other countries may frequently, even routinely, avail of the services of FSWs, Filipino men are not known to have such a habit. This may be due to socio-cultural considerations or even moral-ethical pressure. Added to this is the high cost of sexual favors in the Philippines relative to the disposable income of the Filipino male, in comparison with the cost of engaging the FSWs in some other countries.

Non ulcerative type of sexually transmittable diseases (STDs).

A definitive link has been established between the incidence of STDs in men and the likelihood of being infected with HIV, which, of late, has also been regarded as an STD. The route of HIV infection, however, is through transfer of virulent serum or other body fluid from the infected person into the blood stream of another person. A person already suffering from ulcers or wounds caused by STD is more likely to be infected by anything, including HIV when engaging in sex with a person with the virus.

Filipino men who have sex with men (MSMs) engage more in oral sex than in anal sex.

In comparison with vaginal sex, anal sex involves a great deal more trauma or injury to the body parts simply because the anus does not lubricate itself in preparation for sex as the vagina does. In anal sex, abrasion between the dry surfaces of both the penis and the wall of the anus subjects both partners to danger of suffering from scrapes and sores, therefore increasing the likelihood of exchanging bodily fluids. While oral sex, in theory, can result in HIV infection, the risk is much less since the act usually involves less trauma.

There are fewer injecting drug users in the Philippines.

HIV transmission in the Philippines is largely attributed to sexual contact, with a relatively small proportion of the infections being caused by needles or transfusions. While the problem of substance abuse persists in the Philippines, most drug users indulge in marijuana, shabu, or oral drugs, both legal and illegal. The drug abusers who indulge in injectable substances constitute a very small minority. Filipinos have been found to be less comfortable about injecting themselves than other nationalities.

Most Filipino males are circumcised.

Circumcision is routinely indicated for Filipino boys being brought up in functional communities, as it is considered socially acceptable to be circumcised when one comes of age. It has also been a frequent practice for newly born male children to be circumcised before leaving the hospital. Circumcision is known to decrease the likelihood of developing penile cancer and other diseases such as HIV/AIDS.

Delayed first sexual contact/marriage.