Identifying Barriers to HIV Testing Among Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM) in the Philippines

Abstract

Despite the Philippines facing the fastest growing HIV epidemic among men who have sex with men (MSM) in the Asia/Pacific region, the Philippines reports slow uptake of HIV testing. We reviewed the epidemiology of the HIV epidemic and the current state of HIV testing and other public health interventions in the Philippines to identify possible reasons behind the reported low rates of testing uptake among MSM. Social factors such as HIV-related stigma, misconceptions of the virus, fear of testing HIV-positive, and financial instability contribute to testing hesitancy among MSM. Further investigation is needed to confirm whether recent responses by the Philippine government has increased HIV testing uptake to mitigate the current epidemic.