AS SEEN ON TV
One can choose not to have AIDS
Call center agents may be crying foul for being singled out as AIDS-prone, in recent AIDS/STD stories hogging the headlines. The UP Population Institute study on AIDS/STD situation in call centers became controversial for its sweeping findings that call center agents engage in risky sexual behavior and casual sex, making them prone to AIDS/STD.
But it’s really nothing personal. And yes, any other industry is as vulnerable to AIDS/STD as call centers are. AIDS/STD could strike companies, schools, communities and even families.
Call centers just happen to be a microcosm for AIDS/STD research because of convenience. In terms of sampling, call centers are representative of an age group sharing the same habits and lifestyle relevant for AIDS/STD studies. AIDS and STD thrive in social environments where moral values, lifestyle and habits have radically changed. And the call center ecosystem has all the elements for a perfect AIDS/STD sampling—- a young age group, an urban lifestyle and shared habits such as work schedules, days off and recreational preferences.
The UP Population Institute study highlights realities that make call center agents prone to AIDS/STD. More call center agents enter into relationships with fellow call center agents. At least 40% of male call center agents have office relationships compared to only 8% of males in other industries. This is brought about by common work schedules whereby call center workers are awake at night and asleep by day. Office relationships are also brought about by longer time spent with fellow call center agents than their better halves (if any).
The study also 50% of all male and 13% of female call center agents engage in casual sex, while over 19% of female call center agents engage in unprotected sex compared to only 8% of females in other industries. One of five male call center agents have sex with fellow men and one of every 10 female call center agents engage in sex with multiple partners.
The Department of Health (DOH) reports, the number of HIV/AIDS cases in the Philippines has risen to 4,200. The DOH findings say HIV-AIDS cases are more rampant in promiscuous men or women, commercial sex workers, intravenous drug users, overseas workers, and young professionals engaging in casual sex or with multiple partners.
Of late, medical workers are also said to be running the risk of contracting HIV-AIDS because of their exposure to AIDS patients. Even embalmers are said to be at risk especially if the causes of death (if
AIDS) are unknown (or not properly indicated or disclosed in the death documents).
The spread of AIDS/STD is really alarming if we think beyond the number of cases periodically published by researches. The multiplier effect of each of these cases is all the more overwhelming and exponential. That’s why the DOH wants to make HIV-AIDS-STD awareness a part of occupational safety and health services of every company or institution. By informing the public about ways to avoid contracting these diseases it is hoped that the swelling of AIDS/HIV cases will ease.
And information dissemination is the most any government office can do to fight the spread of AIDS/STD because at the end of the day we are all left with a choice to either heed or ignore those warnings.
The rise of HIV-AIDS cases and other Sexually Transmitted Diseases is unstoppable largely because our culture has changed.
I don’t think recent studies showing an increase in AIDS/STD is purely about lack of information although health officials are pushing for a more aggressive campaign against these diseases. To me avoiding AIDS/STD (except for those infected by contaminated blood products) is still about the choices we make. The party lifestyle, casual and unprotected sex as well as the recklessness of some of our personal decisions and preferences all contribute to the rise in AIDS/STD cases in the country. If anything, the surge is a barometer indicative of an environment more welcoming of open sex... or unsound judgments such as not using protection or drug use.
I could be accused of “nagpapakamoralista” but really what’s wrong with being one? Or what’s so wrong about aspiring to make choices in life that happen to be morally correct?
What’s wrong with keeping one partner in life? What’s so abhorable with being faithful in a marriage or a relationship and not have multiple partners? What’s to lose if I don’t do drugs and share needles with junkies? And if we really have to set aside morals what’s wrong with simple protected sex for the sake of not getting sick?
Choices more than morals, really—- choices that reflect our view of what’s important in life. The same values propel our choice not to have AIDS.
