Bury LE; International Conference on AIDS (15th : 2004 : Bangkok, Thailand).

Int Conf AIDS. 2004 Jul 11-16; 15: abstract no. WePeD6263.

CARE International in Cambodia, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Background: This paper presents the baseline survey findings for the Selling Beer Safely Women's Health Initiative Project implemented by CARE in collaboration with Heineken, Asia Pacific Breweries and Cambodian Breweries Limited. The study's objective is to provide KAP information of beer promotion girls (PG) towards reproductive and sexual health to develop a Life Skills training package addressing the specific needs of PGs. Methods: A total of 184 PGs were interviewed using a pre-coded questionnaire, and 43 PGs participated in qualitative research methods for a more in-depth understanding of PG's knowledge and behaviors. Results: Workplace health and safety issues are more detrimental to the health of PGs than a lack of knowledge of reproductive health issues. More than 70% of PGs reported to have experienced some form of physical or sexual harassment at work. Abuse in the workplace is so widespread that it is seen as a part of the job. The culturally acceptable behavior of male customers exacts a heavy toll on the ability of PGs to perform their job and their personal security is often threatened. To attract and maintain the interest of customers, to increase sales and ensure customer loyalty to the establishment, PGs are pressured to flirt; consume alcohol and sometimes drugs with customers; allow their bodies to be fondled and tolerate aggressive behavior. The inability to apply health messages to their own situations contributes to the vulnerability of PGs. Official figures show that PGs are one of the highest HIV/AIDS risk groups with 14.8% to be HIV+. Condom use is low and determined by the nature of sexual relationships. Conclusions: Selling beer safely is not easy. PGs are under constant threat of physical and sexual abuse in an unsafe and unsupportive work environment. Alongside providing training for PGs, the challenge lies in advocating the health risks, rights and protection needs of PGs to outlet owners, beer companies and the public.

Publication Types:

• Meeting Abstracts

Keywords:

• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
• Advertising as Topic
• Asia
• Behavior
• Cambodia
• Data Collection
• Female
• HIV Infections
• Health
• Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
• Humans
• Male
• Prevalence
• Safe Sex
• Work
• education
• organization & administration

Other ID:

• GWAIDS0039965

UI: 102284181

From Meeting Abstracts