The Dumaguete City Health Office has reported an increase in the number of clients who come to their office for hygienic check-up compared to previous years.
Syndromes encountered from January to September this year showed 160 women having vaginal discharges and only five urethral discharges for men.
For Sexually Transmitted Infections, the DCHO has recorded 21 vaginitis cases secondary to trichomoniasis, 23 moniliasis/candidiasis and six gonorrhea cases.
City Health Officer Dr. Ma. Sarah Talla explained the increase in numbers is due to the awareness of clients who visit the city health office regularly, including commercial sex workers.
However, there were no reports of HIV-AIDS in the city, Talla pointed out, but three suspects were referred to the provincial hospital who has the capacity of determining the presence of HIV-AIDS in victims.
The city health officer disclosed it is conducting a year-round information campaign in selected barangays with high risk groups to include the youth in preventing the spread of sexually transmitted diseases with ABCDE as the guiding principle. The acronym stands for A for abstinence, B for monogamous relationships, C for consistent use of condoms, D avoid using drugs and E for education or early detection.
Dr. Talla said HIV-AIDS can be acquired through unsafe sex, blood transfusion or by injecting needles during illegal drugs sessions. A minimal percentage is also reported through mother to child transmission, Talla said.
This developed as the city government joins the whole world in observing World Aids Day Thursday with red ribbons on the chest of every employee while business establishments and the public are encouraged to display any red color to symbolize their care and to extend their sympathy to HIV-AIDS patients worldwide. (PNA/JFP/Juancho Gallarde)
