Tabuk records highest number of HIV/AIDS cases in Kalinga

Tabuk City, Kalinga – Majority of the documented human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) cases in Kalinga are found in the province’s capital, Tabuk City.

In an interview with GURU Press Cordillera, HIV/AIDS Coordinator, Flordeliza Abay, relayed there are now a total of 58 HIV/AIDS cases recorded in the province since the very first time Kalinga recorded its first patient in 2012.

Unlike other provinces where cases are scattered in their towns, Abay said that the majority of the cases were found in Tabuk City, with 49. The other cases were documented in Pinukpuk with 4, Rizal with 3, Tanudan with 1, and the remaining 1 case did not specify what municipality he or she came from.

Of the 58, 52 are males while 6 are females. Additionally, 29 of the cases belong to age group 25 – 34. Meantime, 18 cases fall under the 15 – 24 age group, while 35 – 49 with 11 cases.

Abay revealed that 33 of the cases were transmitted through sexual intercourse between males, 15 for males having sex with females, and 10 for males having intercourse with both males and females.

One of the 58 cases succumbed to the disease, while 45 have been undergoing treatment.

Among the initiatives done by the Kalinga Provincial Health Office to curb the rising HIV/AIDS in the province include an information education campaign in schools, particularly in Tabuk City.

“Haan lang ngay nga concern iti maymaysa daytoy, dapat through community effort… effort iti community ken dagitoy health personnel, dapat agtitinnulong tayo ta kabutbuteng nga umad-adu iti cases tayo,” Abay appealed.