One can choose not to have AIDS

Call center agents may be crying foul for being singled out as AIDS-prone, in recent AIDS/STD stories hogging the headlines. The UP Population Institute study on AIDS/STD situation in call centers became controversial for its sweeping findings that call center agents engage in risky sexual behavior and casual sex, making them prone to AIDS/STD.

But it’s really nothing personal. And yes, any other industry is as vulnerable to AIDS/STD as call centers are. AIDS/STD could strike companies, schools, communities and even families.

Call centers just happen to be a microcosm for AIDS/STD research because of convenience. In terms of sampling, call centers are representative of an age group sharing the same habits and lifestyle relevant for AIDS/STD studies. AIDS and STD thrive in social environments where moral values, lifestyle and habits have radically changed. And the call center ecosystem has all the elements for a perfect AIDS/STD sampling—- a young age group, an urban lifestyle and shared habits such as work schedules, days off and recreational preferences.

The UP Population Institute study highlights realities that make call center agents prone to AIDS/STD. More call center agents enter into relationships with fellow call center agents. At least 40% of male call center agents have office relationships compared to only 8% of males in other industries. This is brought about by common work schedules whereby call center workers are awake at night and asleep by day. Office relationships are also brought about by longer time spent with fellow call center agents than their better halves (if any).

The study also 50% of all male and 13% of female call center agents engage in casual sex, while over 19% of female call center agents engage in unprotected sex compared to only 8% of females in other industries. One of five male call center agents have sex with fellow men and one of every 10 female call center agents engage in sex with multiple partners.–News Today