Nenita L Ortega, RMT MA, Arnold Dendiego RN, Jose Narciso Melchor C. Sescon, MD
Clinica Remedios - Remedios AIDS Foundation, Inc Manila Philippines

ESTABLISHMENT-BASED STD/HIV-IEC INTERVENTION
TO IDENTIFIED FUN HOUSES AND ILLEGALLY OPERATING
ENTERTAINMENT ESTABLISHMENTS IN DEPRESSED AREAS
OF TONDO COMMUNITY

ISSUE:

Since the crackdown of all operating male and female entertainment establishments in 1992 by the City of Manila, most of the sex workers have migrated to different areas like Pasay and Quezon City and in nearby provinces. Few have shifted into freelance sex work while others and has continued in the establishment that are illegally operating in the depressed areas in the city of Manila particularly in District I , Tondo Manila. Because of the condition and proximity in the heart of the city, there is seldom monitoring of activity which is being conducted by the Manila police authorities who is providing them protection.

The increase in the number of female sex workers in the unregistered entertainment establishments in the area has brought about various concerns regarding the health status of the sex workers, especially in the area of HIV/AIDS and reproductive health. This area is requiring intensive, target specific health education intervention program and activities.

METHODOLOGY:

Community based outreach activities has been considered as one of the main strategy. Through this activity, target groups and individual were reached by the outreach IEC activities establishment-based. It also identify the immediate needs of the target that required instantaneous action in the filed of health education intervention program.

RESULT:

It was observed that through IEC activities and medical services being rendered by the project the knowledge of the project partners has been upgraded. There is an increased number of project partners have availed the STD medical services as well as demand for condom supply.

LESSONS LEARNED:

Access and penetration with the existing unregistered entertainment establishments has proved to be difficult. Because they don’t want to be identified as one who illegally operating under the sex industry.