MANILA, Philippines – Over 2,500 Filipinos have acquired human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) after paid sex, according to the Department of Health (DOH).

DOH data have shown an increasing trend in the number of people who have been afflicted with HIV after engaging in so-called “transactional sex” for the past four years.

Since 2012, the DOH has recorded a total of 2,621 cases of people who acquired HIV through transacted sex since the classification was included in the department’s HIV/AIDS Registry of the Philippines (HARP).

In January 2016 alone, 84 individuals who engaged in transactional sex were added to the HARP.

Health officials said one could be considered engaging in transactional sex if the person regularly accepts payment for sex or pay someone for sex or do both.

Based on DOH data, males accounted for 79 of 84 who acquired HIV through transacted sex.

Of the 79 males, 43 paid for sex while 24 accepted payment for sex and 12 engaged in both.

Among the five females who acquired HIV through transactional sex, two accepted payment for sex, while three paid for sex and got paid as well.

More than half or 55 percent of the total recorded cases since 2012 paid for sex while 29 percent accepted payment for sex and 16 percent engaged in both.