ABSTRACT Contraception is a process of preventing implantation through the interruption of fertilization.

It is used to prevent unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infection among sex workers. Explanation of method presented to prevent transmission of STI and unwanted pregnancy will be of great help in decreasing its occurrence. The study aimed to assess perceived effectiveness of contraceptives on the prevention of sexually transmitted infection and unwanted pregnancy. A descriptive design was used to describe the understanding of sex workers point of view on effectiveness according to efficacy, safety, acceptability and health perception. Such criterion was set as a parameter to gauge contraceptives effectiveness for them to use. There were 587 registered female sex workers in Caloocan City. Ten percent were able to visit the social hygiene clinic during the two weeks of data gathering. The study includes registered female workers aged at least 18 years old and above. They should have 6 months of working experience and using any contraceptive. Utilizing criterion sampling 67.5% (27) of total population qualified. Fifty five percent of the population belongs to 22 years old and below, were 55% of them earn 3,500 Php per week. Sixty three percent were high school graduate. Eighty percent of the respondents have a working experience of 12 months and below. Only 48% uses barrier method as their contraceptive. While the rest utilized non-barrier 15% and 37% uses both non-barrier and barrier method. Through rated very effective it showed that use of pills obtained highest and condom and pills followed on effectiveness, moreover safety and acceptability obtained higher weighted
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mean on the combination of pills and condom. However health perception revealed ineffectiveness understanding on the use of contraceptive in preventing transmission of STI and unwanted pregnancy. On the other hand, despite mean variation, statistical treatment revealed no significant differences among for variables set in the study. Results showed that perceived effectiveness of contraception in prevention of risk of transmission of STI and unwanted pregnancy in terms of criteria set on effectiveness, safety, acceptability and health perception were rated very effective with a mean average of 3.63, 3.49, 3.44 and 3.02 respectively. Results showed that sex workers have a poor awareness regarding disease transmission. An overall weighted mean of 3.025 denotes that respondents had poor health transmission awareness. On the other hand, a weighted mean of 3.7 signifies that sex workers perceived their contraceptives as effective in preventing Sexually Transmitted Infection and unwanted pregnancy. Hypothesis reveled that there is no significant difference among the set criteria for the following variables: effectiveness, safety, acceptability and health perception. It implies that sex worker perceived effectiveness on all parameters set vary whether barrier, non-barrier and combination of barrier. All of them prevent transmission of Sexually Transmitted Infections and unwanted pregnancy. A project entitled kumikitang kabuhayan para sa kababaihan will be proposed. This project will conduct a seminar about livelihood project. This livelihood program as a new source of income will be made available for the sex workers. This will give them a chance to refrain from their present job as a sex worker. This will benefit them through keeping them away from
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