The prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STI) among call center workers is now being studied by the National Epidemiology Center of the Department of Health as part of its operational research on the health condition of this sector.
Dr. Yolanda Oliveros, director for National Center for Disease Prevention and Control, said the study was initially meant to gauge the prevalence of tuberculosis among workers in the call center industry. But as the research progressed, epidemiologists felt compelled to include the worker’s predisposition to develop noncommunicable diseases such as heart disease, cardiovascular disease and cancer, among others.
The study was conducted through questionnaires and was disseminated in call centers in Metro Manila by the people from DOH.
The DOH previously focused its HIV/AIDs program to commercial sex workers and men having sex with men as these groups were found to have the highest prevalence of the disease in the past.
“Nung una, TB lang sana and then nadagdagan ng STI dahil nga sa mga risky sexual behaviors,” Oliveros said in an interview. “Basically, concern namin yun kasi it’s part of the healthy lifestyle program. Yung mga employed natin sa call centers, yung mga young graduates, sila yung nasa peak ng productivity. If they’re going to be exposed in the early part of their employment, mas makakaroon tayo ng problema in the future.” |
