University of Memphis students can support safe sex while makingvalentines the old-fashioned way.
Student Health Services is offering students an opportunity tocelebrate Valentine's Day with its first Make Your Own Valentineevent in the University Center.
During the event, students can make valentines using doilies,stickers and paper -- while getting information about safe sex andpreventing the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.
"We try to have student interaction to make (safe sex education)more interesting," said Jacqueline DeFouw, U of M healtheducator.
Student Health Services representatives speak to a variety ofcampus organizations during the year about safe sex.Representatives also speak during some University general educationcourses and programs that include information about STDs.
After the lecture and presentation, students are given a chanceto ask questions about sex, STDs, HIV and AIDS, DeFouw said.
The students "want to know about symptoms and where to gettested," she said. "I think empowerment helps them to make informeddecisions."
Students living on campus are also given the opportunity toattend a safe sex lecture and presentation, said Tiffany Young,Richardson Towers area assistant coordinator.
"Most (students) are aware but not real knowledgeable," shesaid. "The graphics are attention getting. Students make betterjudgments by not being na�ve -- it could happen to youtoo."
The University Student Health Services began these educationalefforts in part because Shelby County has a high number of reportedcases of STDs, HIV and AIDS cases.
"The major reported STDs are chlamydia, syphilis and gonorrhea,"said Thom Shavor of the Tennessee Department of Health. "Syphilisand gonorrhea are down, but chlamydia is up all over the countryand has been for years."
In an effort to reduce the spread of these diseases, StudentHealth Services gives out nearly 6,000 condoms a year duringeducation classes and programs, DeFouw said. Students can also getfree condoms from the Hudson Student Health Center.
In addition to teaching about safe sexual health practices,Health Services representatives also promote abstinence.
Abstinence is the only foolproof way to prevent the spread ofdiseases like HIV and AIDS -- condom use is not 100 percenteffective, DeFouw said, adding that many STDs occur by touchingaffected skin areas and fluids.
"I abstain," said Ennis Newman, 26. "At first it wascircumstantial, then voluntary."
"It's not safe. I've seen what (diseases) can do."
