Students learn about Sexually Transmitted Infections

Month full of activities offered

By: Nadiah Sarsour

Posted: 4/8/08

Student Health Services and Campus Recreation and Wellness are bringing home awareness about sexually transmitted infections (STIs) by making them the focal topic of April.

"It's one of the most talked about topics," said Shawnte McMillan, health educator at the student health center.

Campus organizations and professors frequently ask to be educated about STIs, according to McMillan.

Campus Recreation and Wellness is prepared to carry out educational activities and presentations on separate dates during the month of April.

"It will be interactive. We're trying to avoid lecturing students," McMillan said.

Instead, students will have the opportunity to engage in discussions, hands-on activities and games.

Adib El-Amin, health and nutrition education intern, is hosting at least two of the presentations.

The first presentation will feature, Girl Positive, the Lifetime movie that will be shown on Monday, April 16 at Hendrix Theatre at 7 p.m.

They will "show a movie and a discussion afterwards about HIV awareness," El-Amin said.

Another presentation, "Talking Dirty after Dark," will take place April 23 at 5:30 p.m. in the Student Health Service multipurpose room. Both programs are Passport-approved events.

Two national speakers will be on campus on April 22. Shawn Decker and Gwenn are scheduled to talk to students during the "Bugs in the Bedroom" presentation.

On April 24, Student Health Services is giving students the opportunity to get STI screenings for free. That will mark the day for Barefoot on the Mall.

According to McMillan, student health will pass out condoms, provide free blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol screenings.

McMillan stressed the importance of regular testing for STIs, emphasizing that HIV tests are free to all full-time students.

"It's better to know now than later. If you don't find out now, it can cause some serious issues, especially for women. It can make it harder for them to get pregnant or not get pregnant at all because of not knowing their status," McMillan said.

Students can learn the ropes of guarding against STIs by getting educated, according to McMillan.

"We have brochures and models, we have books, videos and CDs to check out, or you can make an appointment with me for consultation," McMillan said.

Inquiries can be sent to gotquestions@ecu.edu.

"We aim to answer your questions, without diagnosing students, during normal businesses hours and it's anticipated to take 48-72 hours before giving out responses," McMillan said.

Students should not fear that the discussion of such situations would be exposed to others through Student Health Services.

"We can't release any information out, [not] even for parents," McMillan said.

This writer may be contacted at news@theeastcarolinian.com.