HIV Prevention Interventions and Research in the Philippines for High-Risk Populations: Proposals From a Scoping Review of Contributing Factors.

Abstract

Abstract: Despite a global decrease in HIV cases and efforts to reduce HIV incidence in the country, the Philippines has an increasing HIV incidence rate, which is the highest in the Asia-Pacific region. A multiplicity of factors is driving the HIV epidemic in the Philippines. Our scoping review aims to describe the current literature about factors influencing the Philippine HIV landscape. The available literature shows that individual, sociocultural, environmental, educational, environmental, and biological factors fueled the HIV epidemic in the Philippines. Specifically, low levels of HIV knowledge, low testing rates, high-risk sex behaviors, stigma, lifestyle, location, lack of HIV education in schools, conservative society, and restrictive policies are contributing factors. Our findings provide direction for designing comprehensive targeted interventions, increasing public awareness, advocating for policy formulation, and developing a dedicated HIV research program to guide HIV preventive programs and research in the country.