Are text messages a feasible and acceptable way to reach female entertainment workers in cambodia with health messages? A cross-sectional phone survey

Abstract

Background: Despite great achievements in reducing the prevalence of HIV, eliminating new HIV infections remains a challenge in Cambodia. Entertainment venues such as restaurants, karaoke bars, beer gardens, cafes, pubs, and massage parlors are now considered important venues for HIV prevention efforts and other health outreach interventions. Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore phone use and texting practices of female entertainment workers (FEWs) in order to determine if text messaging is a feasible and acceptable way to link FEWs to health services. Methods: This cross-sectional phone survey was conducted in May 2015 with 97 FEWs aged 18-35 years and currently working at an entertainment venue in Phnom Penh. Results: Of the 96 respondents, 51% reported sending text messages daily; of them, 47% used Khmer script and 45% used Romanized Khmer. Younger FEWs were more likely to report daily texting (P