DOH introduces ABCDE against HIV transmission
By Mariesh F. Celedeña
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) - The Department of Health-Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) Caraga introduced the ABCDE to prevent the transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) during the recent Media Forum in Butuan City.
DOH-CHD Caraga defined ABCDE as: Abstaining from sex; Be mutually faithful; Correct and consistent use of condoms; Do not share needles and do not use drugs and alcohol; and Educate yourself.
It added that this acronym will help guide individuals to prevent transmission of HIV.
According to Arlene Serrano, HIV program coordinator, there are people living with HIV (PLHIV) who are still sexually active and they are infecting other people. “This is one of the reasons why there is an increase in the number of cases infected with HIV in the region. She urged the public to practice ABCDE.”
She also corrected some of the myths and misconceptions on the mode of transmission of HIV such as coughing and sneezing, sharing of beds, handshakes, and insect bites. “HIV can only be transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse, HIV infected mother to child transmission, and exposure to infected blood.”
“Infection happens when a PLHIV engages in sexual contact with a person without HIV through the vagina, rectum, opening of urethra, and wounds or breaks in the skin,” she said.
Most of the HIV cases in Caraga region are transmitted through male to male sex with 1,203 cases from 1995 to February 2025 and 94 percent of PLHIV are male. (MFC, PIA Caraga)
