Reducing Alcohol Use, Sex Risk Behaviors, and Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Filipina Female Bar Workers: Effects of an Ecological Intervention

Abstract

This article presents the outcomes of a quasi-experimental community-based research intervention initiative targeting sexually transmitted infections (STIs) testing and condom use among Filipina female bar workers (FBWs). Established at the peer, organizational, and policy levels, bar managers and peer educators from 110 different establishments, in 4 southern Philippines regions, were trained. Only FBWs in the combination peer educator and manager training intervention condition significantly increased STI testing from baseline to follow-up. STI testing was significantly associated with higher HIV/AIDS knowledge, lower probability of contracting HIV, and increased condom use. Based on the findings, future research on the adaptability of this intervention to FBWs residing in HIV epicenters is warranted.

KEYWORDS:

• community-based participatory research
• condom use
• ecological interventions
• female bar workers
• social influence modeling
• social reinforcement theory intervention
• STI testing
• the Philippines

The study was funded by the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (R01-AI33845), UCLA AIDS (AI-28697), and University-wide AIDS Research (D04-LA-400).

Notes

Note. Tests for difference conducted using χ² tests for categorical variables and F-tests for continuous variables.

FBWs = female bar workers.

Note. Tests for difference conducted using χ² tests for categorical variables and F-tests for continuous variables.

FBWs = female bar workers.

Note. ∗p < .05; ∗∗p < .01; ∗∗∗p < .001.

All analyses were separated for each of the explanatory variables by intervention group and adjusted for age, education, work duration, weekly wage, and partner status.

aOR = Adjusted Odds Ratio; FBWs = female bar workers; STI = sexually transmitted infection.

Note. ∗p < .05; ∗∗p < .01; ∗∗∗p < .001.

All analyses were separated for each of the explanatory variables by intervention groups and adjusted for age, education, work duration, weekly wage, and partner status.

FBWs = female bar workers.

Note. ∗p < .05; ∗∗p < .01.

All analyses were separated for each of the explanatory variables by intervention groups and adjusted for age, education, work duration, weekly wage, and partner status.

aOR: Adjusted Odds Ratio.