Prevalence and factors associated with HIV sexual risk behavior among Filipino youth: Analysis of nationally representative data

BackgroundFilipino adolescents and young adults are at higher risk for acquiring human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) than any other age groups; 46% of new HIV infections in 2022 were in people aged 15 - 24 years. However, little is known about the prevalence and associated factors of HIV sexual risk behavior (SRB) among this vulnerable population in the Philippines.MethodsThis is a secondary analysis of a cross-sectional study from the 2021 Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Study (YAFS5). 3120 sexually experienced Filipinos aged 15 - 24 were included in the analysis. Binary logistic regression and Poisson regression were used to test the relationship between the proposed independent variables and HIV SRB.ResultsApproximately two-thirds (<i>n</i> = 2101, 65.5%) of Filipino youth engage in HIV SRB, and this is significantly higher among males (<i>n</i> = 1212, 74.9%, <i>p</i> < .001). Factors associated with HIV SRB include ever married/cohabited (AOR: 0.25, 95% CI: 0.20 - 0.32), have had sex with a virtual partner (AOR: 2.44, 95% CI: 1.25 - 4.78), currently smoking (AOR: 1.35, 95% CI: 1.04 - 1.76), lifetime drug use (AOR: 4.30, 95% CI: 2.15, 8.59), and suicidal ideation (AOR: 1.51, 95% CI: 1.17, 1.96). Differences between males and females were also noted.ConclusionsThis study highlights the vulnerabilities and co-occurring health risk behaviors among young Filipinos that may increase their risk of HIV transmission. Findings underscore the need for integrated, youth-focused programs-such as comprehensive sexual and reproductive education and improved service access-while acknowledging sociocultural challenges in a deeply religious context.