Sescon, Jose Narciso Melchor C. MD DPOGS, Remedios AIDS Foundation;
Manila Philippines

HOTLINE CALLS DOMINATED BY YOUNG CALLERS:
WHAT ARE THEIR NEEDS?

BACKGROUND:

The hotline was established in 1991 as a response to the AIDS epidemic. It was a collaborative effort with the Philippines Health Department. Its main objective was to disseminate factual information about HIV/AIDS to the general factual. Base on data gathered from the hotline call reports, bulk of the callers is within age range 11 to 24. This is the economically productive age group of the community.

METHOD AND RESULT:

A review of the hotline call reports from 1995 to 1998 were done. Data gathered showed that out of the 20,784 actual calls received, 81% belong to age group 11-24; 68% are males; 32% females. 73% have had sexual risk exposures. Non condom users are 60% versus condom users of 14%. A significant 26% with sexual risk exposures inconsistently used condoms. Most commonly asked questions were modes of transmission and prevention, sexuality issues and reproductive health issues.

FINDINGS ARE:

Young callers form the big bulk of the hotline callers. Their concerns are not only centered at HIV issues but reproductive health issues as well. This reveals that many of the young adults and adolescents are with health seeking behavior.

LESSONS LEARNED:

Concerns and needs of the young adults should not be undermined and set aside. It but right to address their concerns the earliest possible time in order to avoid further complications related to HIV and reproductive health and rights.  Investing in young people in terms of health intervention is worthy a cause as these very bulky group of our society will form part of the country's economic and social development.