Addressing risks in sexual behavior (RSB) via red light special (RLS) website: Assessment and evaluation of the RLS campaign against HIV/AIDS

• Main Author: Javier, Roberto E., Jr.
• Format: text
• Published: Animo Repository 2012
• Subjects: HIV infections—Philippines; AIDS (Disease)—Philippines; Sex counseling—Philippines; Sex instruction—Philippines; Sexually transmitted diseases—Philippines—Prevention Internet in publicity—Philippines; Public Health Education and Promotion
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/faculty_research/7344
• Institution: De La Salle University

This is a qualitative summative evaluation that used focus group discussion with workshop to generate data from participants who were either exposed or unexpected to the materials of the Red Light Special campaign against HIV/AIDS. The primary objective of the RLS campaign is to invite the target audience specifically those believed as most at risks, to the RLS website and foster voluntary counseling and testing. The participants' profile show that they share the attributes of the target audience of the said campaign i.e. they were mostly IT-savvy, yuppie, highly educated, and gay men. The RLS campaign contributed in raising the awareness about AIDS as similar other operations had impacted on the behaviors related to sex and health. However, such strategy is meant for persons who practice unsafe sexual behaviors particularly unprotected sex between men. It is suggested that strengthening the RLS campaign materials specifically that is attuned to the IT times and apt for its users, the urban youth with avant garde lifestyle and sexual preference. Scaling up the RLS require simplifying the HIV information just to the necessary input i.e. the 101 of sex education, the 3-4-5 of HIV and the ABC of AIDS prevention for the AB groups specifically focusing on the use of high-end technology of smart phones and SMS for MSM.