Since the boom of the call center industry in the Philippines in 2001, it has provided many job opportunities for Filipinos. Most of those who enter this field are young professionals, who are lured by the relatively high pay and attractive benefits. But unusual work hours, heavy workload and stress, when combined with higher pay, may result in risky lifestyles and negative effects on health.

Regardless of the industry they work in, young professionals face various health issues. A study conducted by the University of the Philippines Population Institute (UPPI) thus took a closer look at the lifestyle and reproductive health concerns of call center and non-call center workers in Metro Manila and Metro Cebu. The study, which was funded by the Commission on Population (POPCOM), focused on these two areas since they have the highest number of call centers. Study results will help government agencies such as POPCOM and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in crafting appropriate policies and programs for the youth, particularly in relation to reproductive health.

Data gathering was done through key informant interviews, focus group discussions and a face-to-face survey. A total of 675 young professionals working in call centers and 254 young professionals working in other industries were interviewed. The respondents were between 18 to 34 years of age and reached at least 2nd year college.

The average age of the call center respondents is 25.4 years compared to 25.1 years for their non-call center counterparts. One of ten call center workers live away from their families, which is higher compared to non-call center workers.

Highlights of the Study

I.    Call center respondents have higher income and more work benefits than those from other industries.
Young professionals, regardless of type of industry, first entered the workforce at an average age of 20.  Call center workers earn more than non-call center workers and more of them have other work benefits such as life insurance, meal allowance, and other incentives. A high proportion of both call center respondentas and those from other industries regularly give support to their siblings and parents although this proportion is higher among call center workers. Two-thirds (2/3) of all young workers set aside an average of 3,000 pesos a month, with more males than females able to save regularly.

II.    In general young workers appear to have unhealthy eating habits and do not get enough sleep.

Respondents generally report fewer hours of sleep than the recommended eight hours.  On average, call center workers get less sleep than non-call center workers (6.2 hours vs. 6.5 hours, respectively). They also have a higher proportion with sleep problems (45% vs. 30%), particularly among female call center workers.

Call center workers drink more coffee per day than non-call center workers (2.3 cups vs. 1.7 cups). Young professionals in general drink about 1.5 bottles or cans of soft drinks everyday.

In general, young workers consume a lot of unhealthy food such as fried chicken, chips, burgers and fries.  Less than half (47%) of the call center respondents regularly eat three meals a day.  More female respondents skip meals—40 percent skip breakfast, 20 percent skip lunch, and 16 percent skip dinner.

The most common leisure activity is drinking alcoholic beverages, particularly among call center workers. Call center workers prefer to drink with co-workers while non-call center workers prefer to drink with non-co-workers. The other leisure activities usually pursued by young professionals are going to parties/bars/clubs and malling.

III.    More call center respondents are current smokers.

Forty-three percent of call center workers are currently smoking, compared to about one-fifth of non-call center workers.  Call center workers also smoke one stick more per day than their counterparts in other establishments (9 vs. 8 sticks, respectively).  Slightly more non-call center workers than call center workers currently drink alcohol (87% vs. 85%).

IV.    While risky sexual behaviour is high among young professionals in general, the levels are slightly higher among call center workers compared to non-call center workers.

V.    More call center workers rate their health as poor or fair compared to non-call center workers.

Majority of young professionals report their health as good, very good or excellent although more call center workers view their health as poor. In addition, more call center workers assess their stress levels as high or very high. More call center workers report health problems that they associate with their work such as throat, hand muscle, and eyesight problems.  More females than males experience symptoms that are linked to reproductive health problems such as painful urination, genital itching, and low libido/sex drive.

There is high awareness regarding HIV-AIDS among young professionals.  More call center workers talk about HIV with their partners. Very few young workers know someone with HIV.  Only 1 out of 9 young professionals feel that they are at risk of contracting the disease.

About three-fourths (73%) of call center workers have heard about the Reproductive Health Bill and 63% support it.  Awareness is higher among non-call center workers, with 86% having heard of the RH bill and 74% supporting it.

Value of the Study

Data obtained from the study will be used to fine tune POPCOM’s policies and services for the youth, especially in reproductive health. On the other hand, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) may use the data to know the work-related issues that the young professionals face in order to craft measures and policies to address these issues.

By Cedrik Ben Gayares and Gracious Romero