HIV Scoring: What Is Your Risk?

According to a new UNAIDS report, the number of new HIV cases in the Philippines increased by over 500% between 2010 and 2023. While the total number of people living with HIV (PLHIV) was 189,900 in 2023, the Department of Health (DOH) warned that this sharp rise is alarming.


We need to act now to stop HIV before it becomes a full-blown epidemic!


One of the most powerful tools available today is PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis)—a daily medication that can dramatically reduce your chances of getting HIV. But how do you know if PrEP is right for you? That’s where HIV risk scoring tools come in.

These tools help individuals assess the level of HIV risk based on personal behaviors and clinical history. Here are three key tools currently used in public health settings.

1. MSM Risk Index

This tool comes from the U.S. Public Health Service and is specifically designed for men who have sex with men (MSM). It focuses on recent sexual behavior, condom use, drug use, and partner HIV status.


Answer the following questions based on your experiences in the last 6 months and assign yourself a score for each.

Total Score: _________



✅ If your total score is 10 or higher, you may benefit from HIV prevention services like PrEP.



❕ If your score is below 10, routine HIV prevention education and services are still recommended.

2. Denver HIV Risk Score

This score, developed by Denver Public Health, is a more general tool used in clinical settings to evaluate a wider range of people.

The score is often built into hospital or clinic systems, offering a quick, evidence-based way for providers to screen patients who may benefit from PrEP or further counseling.

3. Malawi Scoring

In Malawi, 11,265 people of all ages died from AIDS in 2023. That’s why Malawi takes a more aggressive approach to HIV risk assessment—where even something as simple as owning a bicycle (a sign of mobility and possibly increased exposure) is considered a factor.

Conclusion

Understanding your HIV risk doesn’t just help you make informed decisions—it also helps normalize conversations around sexual health. These tools aren't about judgment; they’re about safety, empowerment, and access to care.


HIV scoring tools are changing the game in prevention. They move us from guessing to personalized, data-informed decisions about PrEP. So ask yourself: What’s your risk? And more importantly—what are you going to do about it?