PREVALENCEOF HIV IN

CALLCENTERAGENTS IN
THE PHILIPPINES
DE LA CRUZ, BARRACA, SANTOS
INTRODUCTION

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WHAT IS HIV? SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. It is • First Stage (Acute HIV Infection)
the virus that can lead to acquired immunodeficiency • Fatigue, Aching muscles, Sore throat, Swollen
syndrome or AIDS if not treated. It attacks the body’s lymph nodes, A red rash that doesn't itch, usually
immune system, specifically the CD4 cells (T cells). on the torso, Fever
• Second Stage (Chronic HIV Infection)
• Most people don't have symptoms. They may not
realize they’re infected and can pass HIV on to
WHERE DID HIV COME FROM? others. This stage can last 10 years or more.
Chimpanzee in Central Africa as the source of HIV • Third Stage (AIDS)
infection in humans. Simian immunodeficiency virus, • Swollen lymph nodes in your neck or groin
or SIV Studies show that HIV may have jumped from • Unexplained weight loss
apes to humans as far back as the late 1800s. • Purplish spots on your skin that don't go away
• Severe, long-lasting diarrhea
• Yeast infections in your mouth, throat, or vagina
• Bruises or bleeding you can't explain

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• In the Philippines, there has been a steady increase in
the number of confirmed HIV/AIDS cases since its first
detection in 1984.
• Central Visayas (Region VII), where Cebu City is
located, has consistently been one of the top five
regions in the country with the highest number of
recorded and confirmed positive cases (NHSS, 2016).
Cebu City is a hub for the call center industry.
• Call center workers are commonly perceived to more
promiscuous, and are prone to vices that are
considered as risk factors for risky sexual behaviors.
• While a previous study in the Philippines looked at the
effects of work and lifestyle on economic, social, and
health situation among call center agents (Kabamalan
et al., 2010), no study has been done to correlate
socio-demographic profile with the level of knowledge
on HIV/AIDS.
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RELATED
STUDIES

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• The study, “Risk Behaviors for HIV/AIDS among Call
Center Employees in the Philippines” (Melgar, 2009),
show that high risk behaviors among young call
center workers exist in high frequency, contributing
to the increasing number of reported HIV cases in the
Philippines.
• The study surveyed a total of 650 people, (men:
n=334 and women: n=316). Unprotected sex with
multiple partners, reporting of STI symptoms, the
availability of dating apps, and low participation in
HIV prevention programs are among the main results
found during the study.
• In the past three months, around 25% of men and
nearly 21% of women average once or twice a week
of sex. Unprotected sex remains prevalent. During
their last sex, the majority of both males (73%) and
females (80%) did not use condoms.
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• The House of Representatives passed a resolution in 2015
to conduct an inquiry about the reported increase of
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) cases, most of
whom are cited as call center agents, with the goal of
raising awareness to this high-risk group and curb the
spread of disease to the general public.
• In 2010, a study was conducted by the University of the
Philippines Population Institute where the report stated
that call center agents with HIV are on the rise due to
alcohol and peer pressure, and also because call center
agents “tend to involve in risky sexual behaviours”.
• 5 years after the publication of study, there is still
continuous rise in the number of reported cases of HIV and
AIDS, as reported by the Department of Health Philippine
HIV/AIDS Registry.
• 53. 6% or 2, 106 HIV cases out of the 3, 929 came from this
at-risk group from January 2015.

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TREATMENT
• ART are medications that treat HIV. The drugs do
not kill or cure the virus. However, when taken in
combination they can prevent the growth of the
virus. Antiretroviral drugs are referred to as ARV.
• People on ART take a combination of HIV medicines
every day around the same time.
• People with HIV should start ART as soon as
possible. ART can’t cure HIV, but HIV medicines
help people with HIV live longer, healthier lives. ART
also reduces the risk of HIV transmission.
• A main goal of ART is to reduce a person’s viral load
to an undetectable level.
• Overall, the benefits of HIV medicines far outweigh
the risk of side effects. In addition, newer HIV This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-ND

regimens cause fewer side effects than regimens

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CONCLUSION
• Age and educational attainment correlated with the
knowledge level of HIV/AIDS among call center
workers
• Those 24 years old or below, are still in college
should be targeted for knowledge enhancement on
HIV/AIDS - knowledge alone may not be sufficient
to control the spread of disease
• Knowledge must be partnered with attitude and
lifestyle to make prevention effective
• Low condom use (20%) during last sex, alcohol use
during sex, unprotected vaginal and anal sex and
unprotected multiple sexual partnerships are high
risk behaviors
• Most call center agents tend to party excessively
given their very late shifts, making them highly
prone to HIV
References:
• Fisher, J. & Fisher, W. (1992). Changing AIDS-risk behavior. Psychology Bulletin, 111(3), 455–74.
• Kabamalan, M., Marquez, M., Cruz, G., Natividad, J., Abalos, J., Lavares, M., Cruz, C., & Ramos, F. (2010). Lifestyle, health status
and behavior of young workers in call centers and other industries: Metro Manila and Metro Cebu. Retrieved
http://www.unaids.org.ph/apanel/uploads/2010_Call_Center_HIV_ Study_12March2010_POPCOM_UPPI.pdf
• Korra, A., Bejiga, M., & Tesfaye, S. (2005). Socio-demographic profile and prevalence of HIV infection among VCT clients in Addis
Ababa. Ethiopian Journal of Health Development, 19(2), 109– 115.
• Melgar, I., Bangi, A., Mandel, J., & McFarland, W. (2012). A Survey of Risky Behaviors among Employees in Offshore Business
Processing Centers. Philippine Population Review, 10(1), 1-22.
• House of Representatives. (2015) House Resolution No. 2294. Retrieved from
http://congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_16/HR02294.pdf
• NHSS (2016). HIV/AIDS and ART registry of the Philippines (HARP). Manila
• http://uvjor.ph/index.php/uvjor/article/download/128/134/
• https://web.archive.org/web/20151117015119/http://portal.doh.gov.ph/sites/default/files/NEC_HIV_Apr-AIDSreg2015.pdf
• https://aidsinfo.nih.gov/understanding-hiv-aids/fact-sheets/21/51/hiv-treatment--the-basics
• https://www.philstar.com/cebu-news/2010/01/30/544838/according-study-call-center-agents-prone-hiv-aids
• https://www.hrw.org/news/2018/02/09/philippines-discrimination-against-workers-hiv
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