The effects of establishment practices, knowledge and attitudes on condom use among Filipina sex workers

Abstract

The findings for a baseline assessment for a community-based HIV/STD prevention intervention for commercial sex workers (CSWs) and managers of the establishments that employ them in the Philippines is presented in this study. CSW knowledge, attitudes, behaviours and establishment policies concerning HIV prevention were assessed. Baseline assessments are part of an iterative process that will be used to modify the planned intervention. The preliminary findings point to the importance of an intervention that stresses changes in establishment policies and expectations as a means of reducing risk behaviours associated with HIV/STD transmission.

Impact of Social and Structural Influence Interventions on Condom Use and Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Establishment-Based Female Bar Workers in the Philippines

“…However, economic, organizational, legal and other macro-level structural factors have been increasingly emphasized in preventing HIV (Liu & So, 1996;Sumartojo, 2000). For example, reductions in HIV risk implemented by CSWs have been attributed to social-structural and external environmental determinants, such as workplace availability of condoms (Fontanet et al, 1998), policies mandating condom use between CSW and clients (Sedyaningsih-Mamahit, 1996), HIV education programs (Ford et al, 1996), and the support of establishment owners and managers (Morisky et al, 1998;.The emerging literature on macro-level structural factors has prompted studies such as the present one which seeks to examine various non-brothel settings (see above) where commercial sex is negotiated. Because this area of research is neglected, the aim is to develop a better understanding of commercial sex exchange in non-brothel settings to guide the design of more tailored interventions to specifically reduce risk in this context.…”

“…However, economic, organizational, legal and other macro-level structural factors have been increasingly emphasized in preventing HIV (Liu & So, 1996;Sumartojo, 2000). For example, reductions in HIV risk implemented by CSWs have been attributed to social-structural and external environmental determinants, such as workplace availability of condoms (Fontanet et al, 1998), policies mandating condom use between CSW and clients (Sedyaningsih-Mamahit, 1996), HIV education programs (Ford et al, 1996), and the support of establishment owners and managers (Morisky et al, 1998;.…”

“…According to a United Nations Development Program report (WHO, 2002), favorable factors include: (1) circumcision which reduces transmission; (2) a lack of land borders combined with many islands that discourage intermixing; (3) a sexually conservative culture; (4) the most popular illicit drugs (e.g., marijuana and methamphetamine) are not injected so HIV transmission through sharing injection equipment is reduced; (5) national, multisector policies conducive toward reducing HIV/ AIDS; (6) effective educational and information dissemination campaigns; and (7) comparative low numbers of sex partners among RFSW (2.5 per week in the Philippines vs. 4.5 per day in Thailand) (Morisky et al, 1998).…”

Perspectives of Brothel Leaders and HIV Prevention Experts on the Role of Gatekeepers on Improving Condom Use by Female Sex Workers in Abuja, Nigeria

“…The orientation and support provided to new entrants into sex work and young FSWs on HIV prevention, consistent condom use and self-efficacy in the negotiation and use of condoms is another perceived contribution brothel leaders can provide in current efforts to curb the epidemic (D. E. Morisky, Tiglao, & Sneed, 1998). Improving gatekeepers' supportive role towards consistent condom use may help to empower FSWs in their negotiation of condom use with clients and regular partners without fear of being punished or losing jobs (Yang et al, 2005).…”

HIV/AIDS Prevention Among the Male Population: Results of a Peer Education Program for Taxicab and Tricycle Drivers in the Philippines

“…The University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA)/University of the Philippines HIV/ AIDS Prevention Program builds and expands the successful results of targeted educational interventions among CSWs and their managers/supervisors in the Philippines (Morisky et al, 1998). In this study, drivers (bus, taxi, jeepney, and pedicab drivers) were identified as primary clients by CSWs, in addition to other high-risk male client groups in the Philippines, such as the military, police, and factory workers.…”