Amid rising cases of HIV and teenage pregnancy in the province, the School of Nursing and Health Sciences (SNHS) of Biliran Province State University, in partnership with the university’s Medical and Dental Clinic, conducted an HIV and Teenage Pregnancy Awareness Seminar on April 2 at the BiPSU Gymnasium.

The seminar aimed to educate BiPSU students, particularly high school attendees, about the dangers of HIV and the challenges associated with teenage pregnancy. It focussed in shedding light on the transmission, prevention, and available support services for HIV and addressing the causes, consequences, and preventive measures of teenage pregnancy to help students make informed decisions about their reproductive health.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), HIV or Human Immunodeficiency Virus is a virus that attacks the body's immune system, specifically targeting white blood cells, which weakens the body’s defenses against infections such as tuberculosis and certain cancers. Meanwhile, the Department of Health (DOH) defines teenage pregnancy as pregnancy occurring in individuals aged 10 to 19, a period classified as adolescence by the WHO.

Eduardo A. Estroso, a registered nurse and Biliran’s provincial HIV coordinator, led the discussion on HIV awareness, focusing on dispelling myths, explaining facts about HIV and AIDS, and highlighting prevention and testing services. 

Meanwhile, Hon. Aluah Kane T. Calbahin, a nursing student and member of BiPSU’s Board of Regents, tackled teenage pregnancy, discussing its causes, effects, prevention strategies, and the importance of support systems and counseling.

In her message, Dr. Ana Maria N. Jaguros, the university physician, mentioned the importance of proactive education in addressing these pressing health concerns.

“Lack of awareness and proper education can lead to increased risk, especially unwanted pregnancy and HIV,” Dr. Jaguros said. “These issues affected past generations, affect us today, and will affect future generations if we don’t break the cycle.”

The seminar was organized in response to recent alarming data from the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Naval and the DOH regarding the increasing number of HIV and teenage pregnancy cases in the province. 

On March 25, LGU Naval reported a significant rise in teenage pregnancies, with cases among 15- to 19-year-olds increasing from 60 in January to 68 in February, an increase of eight in just one month.

Additionally, the DOH reported that as of December 2024, Biliran had recorded 124 HIV cases, with Naval accounting for the highest number at 53 cases. These statistics emphasize the urgent need for awareness campaigns and preventive measures to address these public health concerns effectively.

[This aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3: Good Health and Well-being and SDG 5: Gender Equality.]