The Department of Health (DOH) reported that 596 out of 5,101 newly diagnosed cases of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) were linked to transactional sex.
According to the HIV and AIDS surveillance report, 12% of new HIV cases recorded in the past 12 months involved individuals who engaged in paid sex.
Data shows that 249 individuals diagnosed with HIV had paid for sex, with 248 being men and one woman.
Additionally, DOH findings revealed that 239 HIV-positive individuals received payment in exchange for sex, including 231 men and eight women.
As of the latest report, 16,586 HIV cases have been recorded under transactional sex since the tracking of such cases began in December 2012.
From 2020 to 2025, 54% or 8,962 cases of HIV related to paid sex have been diagnosed.