A School-based Peer Education Program to Reduce Risk of HIV Infection among Young Adults in the Philippines

Written by James Montegricoi

doi: https://doi.org/10.13178/jnparr.2026.1601.1604

Abstract

Background: With the continuously increasing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections in the Philippines and a lack of published research on HIV interventional studies, implementation of comprehensive, cost-effective, and evidence-based institutional HIV preventive interventions is needed.

Objective: This discussion paper explores the multifactorial factors contributing to theHIV epidemic in the Philippines and recommends a school-based peer education HIV prevention program to reduce the risk of HIV infection among adolescents and young adults in the country.

Methods: A narrative literature review was used to identify factors contributing to the high incidence of HIV in the Philippines. Results of the literature search were used to provide context, rationale, and justifications for the institutionalization of an HIV prevention program.

Results: Individual, cultural, social, and political factors contribute to the HIV epidemic in the Philippines, affecting a large proportion of adolescents and young adults. School-based HIV program is an evidence-based intervention that improves students’ HIV knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors that could potentially help address this health problem. Constructs from social cognitive theory and a rights-based conceptual model, program sustainability,
and program evaluation framework provide a basis for recommendations for program implementation.

Conclusion: There is a need to develop a targeted intervention for the at-risk young population that will address their gaps in knowledge, attitudes, and high-risk sex behaviors, decrease the incidence of HIV among the young population, and reduce HIV incidence in the country.

Keywords: peer education, school-based programs, HIV prevention, youth, Philippines