The University of Memphis' Student Health Services and Planned Parenthood are offering free HIV and sexually transmitted infection testing in room 203 of the University Center every Friday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
"Student testing is confidential and only takes about 20 minutes," said Martavius Hampton, a U of M senior and volunteer for Planned Parenthood.
The 20-minute span includes the beginning of the test to the time the results of the screening are available. Students must agree to an HIV and STI Risk Reduction Counseling session. Hampton said that the counseling occurs during the test so there is not any additional attendance required.
However, if the screening is positive, Hampton says students must also take blood tests and an additional oral exam to conclude if they are positive for HIV. That information usually comes back in about two weeks.
Condoms, lube and safe sex materials are available to students afterward.
Joan Carr, Director of Community Affairs for the Planned Parenthood Greater Memphis Region, said that as of 2009, statistics showed that 18 to 24-year-olds are increasingly at risk for HIV infection.
"In 2009, 26 percent of newly diagnosed HIV cases among men were in the 15 to 24 age group. Among women, 18 percent of new cases were among the 15 to 24 age group," Carr said. "Here in Shelby County, 90 percent of both men and women living with HIV/AIDS are African-American."
The Center for Disease Control now recommends annual HIV testing for all sexually active people, regardless of sexual orientation.
