The University of Memphis Chapter of the NAACP and the Student Health Services joined to make a booth in the University Center for World Aids Day. The booth passed out red ribbons and information in honor of the day which was instituted to educate people and prevent the spread of the disease.
The information provided revolved around safe sex, abstinence, HIV facts and proper use of a condom. The stand also distributed free condoms.
"We do it out of goodwill," said NAACP volunteer, Michael Lofties. "I think there are a lot of people out there who don't know how to protect themselves," he said. Lofties said he's been tested for HIV when giving blood which he noted he should do again soon.
"We have access to a lot of information and pamphlets, so we thought a joint project would be good," said Laura McLaughlin, a graduate assistant working for the Student Health Center. She noted that the health center offers free testing for sexually transmitted diseases. "A lot of African Americans suffer from this and Shelby County is an area majorly affected by HIV," said Denise Lofties chair person of the U of M Chapter of the NAACP. She believes the spread of the disease is due mainly to ignorance and education should start at a younger age.
World Aids Day is not only a time for advocating education and safe practices; it's also a day to let communities know what is out there.
"There are 13,000 people with HIV in Shelby County and that's a new statistic just released today," said Marye Bernard and Tiffany Ford, nurse practitioners in the HIV clinic at The Regional Medical Center at Memphis (The MED). College students should take special note of the disease since half of the infections are in people under the age of 25 said Bernard. Half of the infections are also women.
There were 75 new cases of HIV in Memphis and Shelby County in the last year. Of that number, 70 were black females.
"That means that there is at least one person with Aids in every neighborhood and that's only the people that have been tested," said Bernard. This applies to college students as much as anyone.
"I've seen a lot of young college women with everything going for them come down with HIV," she said.
HIV can be passed sexually and sharing drug needles, but getting tattoos and piercing can also be sharing needles, said Ford. If you test positive, there is help for you.
"The Med has the same medicine that Magic Johnson gets," she said. Through a grant, Planned Parenthood will offer free oral testing to people between the ages of 13 and 24 in about two weeks. There are no needles involved. The test is a preliminary screening and only takes about 20 minutes for results, said Ford.
Testing for HIV is advised every six months to ensure the disease is caught.
On campus there is good and bad news.
"I've never been tested," said U of M freshman Mathew Whitfield. "I've always wanted to, but I never take the time."
Although he's never been tested Whitfield said he does practice safe sex though not abstinence. Asked when he last used a condom Whitfield replied, "the last time I had sex which was...last Saturday."
