The Nevada Sagebrush

Information regarding safe sex and testing for sexually transmitted diseases will be offered this week as part of the Unity Commission’s Sexual Health Week.

Part of the Associated Students of the University of Nevada, the Unity Commission hopes to bring the high STD rate of the University of Nevada, Reno and protective measures students can take into discussion, Unity Commissioner Jenna Erickson said.

“We want to instigate some awareness,” she said. “Sexual health is very important.”

According to the National College Health Assessment, a report by the American College Health Association, UNR had twice the number of students with an STD than the national average, including gonorrhea and chlamydia, in 2006.

“People always get misinformation about sexual health,” Unity Commissioner Kristen Sroczynski said. “It’s really important students are aware.”

Sexual Health Week began Monday and will continue until Thursday. Each day will deal with a different issue concerning sexual health, from rape and violence to HIV/AIDS.
Free STD tests will also be available until Thursday in the Student Health Center.

An oxygen bar, fitness assessment and massages will also be available on the third floor of the Joe Crowley Student Union Wednesday, in addition to free HIV/AIDS testing at the Health Center.
Speakers from Planned Parenthood in Reno will speak tonight about general sexual health, Planned Parenthood Vice President of Public Affairs Alison Gaulden said.

“The perception is everyone is using a condom, but they aren’t,” she said. “UNR students need to protect themselves.”

Tonight’s discussion is from 7 to 8 p.m. in FR-203 and is free.

Wednesday will focus on HIV/AIDS awareness and include a “dirty” bake sale from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Hilliard Plaza. At the end of the night, Christine Rock will discuss living with HIV.

HIV attacks the immune system and causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention Web site. To end the week, a five-kilometer run starting and ending at The Joe will take place Thursday morning. Sign-ups begin at 6:30 a.m., the race starts at 7 and breakfast will be served to the participants afterward.

Dr. Trudy Larson, a professor specializing in infectious diseases at UNR, will speak Thursday night to end the week. She is the co-founder of the HIV Outpatient Program, Education and Services (HOPES) organization.

Gaulden said if anything is accomplished this week, it should be that students learn to be responsible during intercourse and the correct prevention methods to stop the spread of STDs.
“The best outcome would be for UNR students who are sexually active to have consistent use of STD prevention methods,” she said.

Brett Abel can be reached at news@nevadasagebrush.

Related Posts:

• Sexual Health Week drives home importance of responsible sex
• Chlamydia, Gonorhea most common STDs among UNR students