No link between call centers and HIV spread?
abs-cbnNEWS.com | 02/10/2010 1:03 AM
MANILA, Philippines - Though more gay and bisexual call center workers are getting infected with HIV due to unprotected sex, according to a study by the Philippine General Hospital (PGH), health experts say there is inconclusive data to prove that call centers are "breeding grounds" of HIV.
In a study, the PGH gave free rapid HIV tests to 406 male respondents from November 2009 to January 2010.
Researchers looked for respondents at gimmick hotspots in Metro Manila. The respondents' ages or locations were not provided.
Only 385 respondents disclosed their occupation. The sample comprised of men who have sex with men (MSM), particularly gays, bisexual males and "call boys" or sex workers.
Of the sample, 130 were MSM call center agents.
"You're seeing more and more gay men, bisexuals getting infected with HIV. But only few walk in to clinics to have themselves tested. So we were the ones who went out to administer HIV tests to them," explained Dr. Louie Mar Gangcuangco, an internal medicine intern at the PGH.
The study found that 48 or 12% of respondents were carriers of human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV), a virus that destroys a person's immune system.
Over half (26 people or 54%) of those found to be HIV positive were call center agents. However, this number only comprises only a small percentage (6.4%) of the total sample size.
Though HIV-positive call center agents comprise a small group in the study, PGH doctors like Gangcuangco find the numbers "alarming."
"The data we are seeing now, the one that alarms us, is just focused on this small subset of call center agents. So these are vulnerable call center agents [comprising of] men having sex with men, gays or bisexuals engaging in high-risk behavior," Gangcuangco said.
Risk factors
Health official Dr. Eric Tayag, chief of the Department of Health's National Epidemiology Center, however, said the study's results are inconclusive.
He said studies about the spread of HIV should not stigmatize call center agents or other groups, but should rather focus on alerting vulnerable groups and finding solutions.
"Kailangan maproteksyonan natin ang mga kabataan. At ang paraan ng DOH para maproteksyunan, malaman kung ano 'yong risk na kinsasangkutan nila. Kasi kung hindi natin alam kung ano nangyayari, ang hirap maglagay ng programa," Tayag said.
(We need to protect the youth. The DOH's way of protecting them is knowing what risks they are under. Because if we don't know what's happening, it's hard to make a program.)
According to the PGH, there are 3 main risk factors that contribute to the spread of HIV among MSMs, particularly those who work in call centers.
These include financial empowerment or having money to go out to parties or gimmicks, little or no condom use and the habit of switching from one sexual partner to another.
The study found that HIV carriers had an average of 16 casual sex partners each.
Call center agents a priority?
The government is reportedly prioritizing initiatives to curb the spread of HIV among sexually active call center agents, since they work in an industry that brings in billions of dollars yearly.
The business process outsourcing (BPO) industry is tagged as the country's "sunshine industry."
It has over half a million Filipino workers and has earned $7.5 billion in 2009 alone.
However, a former call center agent who identified himself as "Humphrey" said there is no connection between call center work and the spread of HIV.
Humphrey, who is gay and HIV positive, said Filipinos should simply change their attitude towards sex.
According to 2009 data by the National Epidemiology Center and the United Nations Development Programme, HIV has spread in the Philippines at the rate of 3 people per day.
"Vulnerable groups" are OFWs, out-of-school youth, street children who are sometimes forced into prostitution, and MSM communities (which cross-cultural studies said comprise 10% of the Philippine population).
All HIV cases were transmitted through sexual contact, with 36% of cases transmitted through homosexual contact and 89% of cases caused by unprotected sex.
But there are other modes of transferring the virus through needles used for drug use and passing on the virus from mother to child.
A 2007 Integrated HIV Psychological study cited by the Philippine AIDS Council found that the rise in Internet-usage, which makes it easier to find sexual partners online; the prevalence of drugs and alcohol among MSMs from 2004 to 2007; and the popularity of anal sex without condoms has contributed to the spread of HIV. With reports from Jay Ruiz, ABS-CBN News.
as of 02/10/2010 4:36 PM
According to study: Call center agents prone to HIV-AIDS
| By Marjun A. Baguio (The Freeman) Updated January 30, 2010 12:00 AM |
CEBU, Philippines - A health official said call center agents have a higher risk of acquiring Human Immuno Virus-Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV-AIDS). Dr. Crisol Tabajero, Health Information and Research Coordinator of the DOH Region 7 said in forum yesterday that because of their environment and peer pressure, call center agents tend to involve in risky sexual behaviors.
She said that basing on a study conducted by the University of the Philippines Population Institute and the Department of Health, the result of the study is alarming but it is not surprising. It was found that more call center workers have early penetrative premarital sex and have had sex with the same sex. Twenty percent of male call center agents are commercial sex workers while 14 percent of them give payment in exchange for sex.
More call center workers have had casual sex experience and half of the male call center workers and one out of nine female call center agents have had casual sex experience. It also revealed that there are more call center agents who have a regular non-romantic sexual partner with more males than females engaging with it.
The study revealed that in the past 12 months, regardless of gender, nearly one-third of male of call center agents had casual sex.
The study entitled “Lifestyle and Reproductive Health Issues of Young Professionals in Metro Manila and Metro Cebu was conducted to examine the economic, social, and health status of young professionals less than 35 years old working at call centers and non call centers. The 929 respondents come from 35 Business Processing Outsourcing establishments, who have at least completed two years in college.
In Cebu alone, there were 241 respondents who came from seven companies.
Slightly more call center agents are single and both groups mostly live with their siblings and parents. The result showed that among those who are married or living-in, one fourth of them has had extramarital sex.
Among those who had sex in the past 12 months, more male call center agents had another male as sexual partner and nearly half of the males had more than one sexual partner.
There are more female call center workers have ever talked with their partners about HIV prevention and only one in nine feel that they are at risk of HIV infection. The Freeman tried to ask for comments from officials of BPO companies in Metro Cebu, but they refused to issue statements. Dr. Josefina Natividad of UP Population Institute emphasized that the study followed a cross sectional trend which was done “one point in time” which, as she emphasized the study did not specifically examine the timing of occurrence of sexual risky events. She said that it is not safe to conclude that the higher prevalence of sexual risk behaviors among call center workers can be attributed to working in the call center. Dr. Grace Cruz, director of UPPI said that there could be a selection bias of the outcome of the study because those who enter call center work already exhibit high risk sexual behavior and there is apparent evidence that these behaviors are now highly prevalent in the age group.
Of the risky sexual practices, fewer call centers agents in Cebu experienced oral sex, anal sex among males, sex with the same sex, casual sex with the same sex among males, early sex, and penetrative early sex compared to call center workers in National Capital Region. The study, however, showed that non call center workers have higher cases of painful urination while call center workers have higher cases of low libido or sex drive.
Male call center agents have more cases in genital itching compared to non call center workers. Both groups have tied in penile discharge.
There is also a very high awareness of sexually transmitted infections and HIV-AIDS and only a very few personally knew someone who has HIV for both groups. Overall, the study showed that there is a low proportion of workers who had been tested for HIV. Among those who had been tested for HIV, more call center agents voluntarily underwent HIV testing. The study included reports that more call center agents currently smoke than non call center workers. There is also a high level of drinking alcoholic among workers with 85 percent for call centers and 87 percent for non call centers agents. It also recorded that 11 percent of call center workers used prohibited drugs or substances in the past six months.
The most common type of substance used is marijuana, followed by shabu. More Cebu call center workers ever tried using shabu. Regardless of sex, Cebu call center agents earn less than NCR counterpart but earn more than non-call center workers in NCR.
On the average, Cebu call center agents started drinking at a later age than NCR workers. They also consume at least three to four shots per drinking session. More call center workers in Cebu go to videoke or karaoke but only a few of them go malling and shopping than in call center agents in NCR. Tabajero, on her part said that the results of the study need to be interpreted so that it would guide DOH, the local government units, and BPO companies in addressing the risky behaviors of both call center and non call center workers. — /NLQ (FREEMAN NEWS)
My Connectivity
Here's the thing about life today: total unpredictability. What - and who - can you really count on? The most important thing is to keep your connection to the things that matters most.
Frankly, there's a lot of ways to do that. But for me, there's only one. Now that the world is starting to be more complex, you got to make your every actions and the things around you dance and sing and shout your song- from your home to your office, even when you're shopping at malls or partying at music bars or entertainment clubs. Make them live your life with all the passion you bring on it.
That's what my mobile phone does for me. These digital tool is all about making the promise of digital convergence come alive no matter who you are, where you are, or what you do. Want to know how these phones work for me?
Every time I got out of house, I always make sure that I am bringing with me my two phones, one is a prepaid line from Globe and the the other one was the post paid plan from Sun Cellular.
For me it's not just a phone, it's a way of life, I literally can't go anywhere without it. And not ony it was fun and cool phone- I mean how many people do you know have full dependence on a device that would ring you everytime you have scheduled activities. But mostly this phone is very useful. With several applications, wy whole life is on this thing. Just like last week, I viewed the organizer of my phone to check on the notes for reminders. I found myself setting my finances as i was reminded of my due dates for my credit cards and other bills. That's with the help of my phone.
Naturally, it's also fun to play with the 3.2 mega pixel camera. My friends during hang-outs always push me to take pictures of themselves anywhere they pose. Likewise, the MP3/Video player is very cool-now lets me enjoy the ride towards my destination.
At least, no minute of my time is spent for nothing. I enjoyed its internet ready feature that allows me to check my e-mail and update online social network accounts even if I am away from PC.
Frankly, there's a lot of ways to do that. But for me, there's only one. Now that the world is starting to be more complex, you got to make your every actions and the things around you dance and sing and shout your song- from your home to your office, even when you're shopping at malls or partying at music bars or entertainment clubs. Make them live your life with all the passion you bring on it.
That's what my mobile phone does for me. These digital tool is all about making the promise of digital convergence come alive no matter who you are, where you are, or what you do. Want to know how these phones work for me?
Every time I got out of house, I always make sure that I am bringing with me my two phones, one is a prepaid line from Globe and the the other one was the post paid plan from Sun Cellular.
For me it's not just a phone, it's a way of life, I literally can't go anywhere without it. And not ony it was fun and cool phone- I mean how many people do you know have full dependence on a device that would ring you everytime you have scheduled activities. But mostly this phone is very useful. With several applications, wy whole life is on this thing. Just like last week, I viewed the organizer of my phone to check on the notes for reminders. I found myself setting my finances as i was reminded of my due dates for my credit cards and other bills. That's with the help of my phone.
Naturally, it's also fun to play with the 3.2 mega pixel camera. My friends during hang-outs always push me to take pictures of themselves anywhere they pose. Likewise, the MP3/Video player is very cool-now lets me enjoy the ride towards my destination.
At least, no minute of my time is spent for nothing. I enjoyed its internet ready feature that allows me to check my e-mail and update online social network accounts even if I am away from PC.
A Shoot for a Cause...
.jpg)
The idea was simple, almost obvious. Instead of having it spent for things unnecessary, have it spent to someone who needs it. So that, even just in a simple way, kindness is cast around - helping to make them feel, and everyone who's in there, we care.
Life Check...
My Name: Wendel Estardo
...childhood ambition:
to experience the life without guilt
...fondest memory:
someone said she understands me despite my shortcomings
...indulgence:
food
...last purchase:
La Coste shoes at Ayala Center, Cebu
...favorite movie:
Marley and Me, Kite Runner
...inspiration:
business tycoons
My life: Still working on it, not even halfway
My card: Mastercard, Chase Sapphire... hehehe
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)