Ninth International Conference on Health, Wellness & Society

Abstract

One of the Philippines’ health concerns is the rise of HIV-related cases. According to the Department of Health (DoH), three of the most at-risk key populations in HIV infections are Transgender and Heterosexual people and Men having Sex with Men (MSM). To control the spread of HIV among these populations, DoH produced HIV prevention messages, namely: Sexually Active Ka Ba, May HIV Kaya Ako, and Be Safe From HIV. Since no study has been conducted to evaluate the said messages from the point-of-view of the target populations, this research was conceptualized. A qualitative approach utilizing focus group discussions (FGD) was used for this study. Data gathered from the FGDs were transcribed and then analyzed using NVivo 11 Pro. Participants shared that Sexually Active Ka Ba message made them aware of the possible illnesses that can be acquired from risky behaviors. However, it lacks information in terms of how to take care of one’s self. On the other hand, May HIV Kaya Ako? promotes HIV testing, and initiates cautiousness towards sexual activities. However, it does not contain any details on how and where to get tested. Lastly, Be Safe From HIV educates its audience about HIV, and is simple and easy to understand. It is recommended that target audiences should be considered in the formulation of HIV prevention messages, to ensure that it is appropriate, non-discriminatory, and effective to the target audience. Further research is recommended to formulate suitable messages based on the characteristics and need of the target population.