Yandra, M. G. A. (2013). Prevention and control of sexually transmitted infections in Placer, Surigao del Norte: Engaging stakeholders in the program (Unpublished master's thesis). Graduate School of Public and Development Management, Development Academy of the Philippines.

Graduate School of Public and Development Management Health Systems and Development Batch 3 Thesis (MPM-HSD)--Development Academy of the Philippines.

People who get infected with sexually transmitted infections are increasing. Statistics reveals that there are 499 million new infections of curable STIs yearly. National policies were created in order to create programs for STI and HIV/AIDS, and also protect people living with HIV. Further, the Municipal Health Office is being mandated to ensure that this is being kept in control. The objective of the study is to determine if there are modalities that can be done in order to have an enhanced program for the commercial sex workers in the Municipality of Placer, Surigao del Norte. In order to come up with an enhanced program, the study determined the baseline program status for sexuality transmitted infections. In addition, to better understand the extent, the burden of STI was determined through -document review and questionnaire-guided interview with the key informants from both the regional and provincial level. It was also through questionnaire-guided interview where the strategies were determined. Similar tool was used for representatives of faith-based organization in order to determine their views of sexually transmitted infections control and prevention. Finally, representatives from other concerned agencies and non-government organizations were organized into a Local Sexually Trasmitted Infections, Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired immunodeficiency Syndrome Council (LSHAC). The council members were engaged in a focus group discussion in order to craft a policy which was submitted to the Sangguniang Bayan. It was found out that indeed the program needs improvement since it may have been implemented in line with business permit licensing. Further, it was found that for Surigao del Norte, there are 6 confirmed cases of HIV reactive for 2012, while in the Municipality, no confirmed HIV cases but in the first half 2013 alone there are 6 cases of pregnant mother who are positive for Hepa-B, and 1 had Trichomoniasis. The suggested strategies vary from increasing awareness, availability of commodities, health center improvement and human resource capacity-building. The suggested strategies were implemented through multi-sectoral and inter-agency collaboration. However, in a still conservative municipality such as Placer, who still strongly adheres to religious faith and intends to protect the family, it was no wonder that the proposed legislation involved totally banning entertainment bars and other establishments of similar nature who engages in sex or flesh trade. It would really be helpful that future studies be focused on the long-term effect of this kind of policy and the means to engage the citizen and the barangay official to take an active role in the implementation of the policy.