2008 Woodie Awards
HIV is a Hot Topic on Campus
Christine Deska
Issue date: 3/2/05 Section: News
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Although the majority of Manhattan College students say that they have had unprotected sex, only a minority have been tested for H.I.V., according to a new survey.
A random sampling of 50 Manhattan College students generated some interesting results. 90 percent of students said that they were sexually active, and 60 percent said that they had unprotected sex. But only 26 percent said that they had been tested for H.I.V.
With the recent news of a rare and potentially virulent strain of H.I.V. in New York City, the AIDS virus is once again creating headlines.
The most common test for H.I.V., the virus that causes AIDS, is the H.I.V. antibody test, according to AVERT, an International AIDS charity organization that collects AIDS statistics from all over the world. Antibodies are the body's response to infection, and in the case of H.I.V., the antibodies take roughly three to six months to develop. AVERT's website states that it is impossible to diagnose H.I.V. from symptoms alone.
Ninety percent of students said that they would like the campus to provide H.I.V. testing, unaware that it is in fact offered through the college's health department for a fee of just 20 dollars.
Kate Kyle, a Nurse Practitioner at Manhattan College's Health Department, says, "I test about 15 students every year for H.I.V." She says that the test is not anonymous like it would be at a clinic or an H.I.V. testing center. Kyle says, "[The student's] name is attached to the lab result when it is tested at an outside facility, but the test is still considered confidential."
Kyle says that in reality students are having sex and that they do need to be tested for H.I.V. and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs). She also realizes that most students are unaware that the testing is available on campus. Kyle says, "I've never looked into publicizing this more."
Although the college provides services such as H.I.V., STD and pregnancy testing, Kyle is not permitted to administer birth control or condoms to students due to Manhattan College's Lasallian Catholic affiliation.
A random sampling of 50 Manhattan College students generated some interesting results. 90 percent of students said that they were sexually active, and 60 percent said that they had unprotected sex. But only 26 percent said that they had been tested for H.I.V.
With the recent news of a rare and potentially virulent strain of H.I.V. in New York City, the AIDS virus is once again creating headlines.
The most common test for H.I.V., the virus that causes AIDS, is the H.I.V. antibody test, according to AVERT, an International AIDS charity organization that collects AIDS statistics from all over the world. Antibodies are the body's response to infection, and in the case of H.I.V., the antibodies take roughly three to six months to develop. AVERT's website states that it is impossible to diagnose H.I.V. from symptoms alone.
Ninety percent of students said that they would like the campus to provide H.I.V. testing, unaware that it is in fact offered through the college's health department for a fee of just 20 dollars.
Kate Kyle, a Nurse Practitioner at Manhattan College's Health Department, says, "I test about 15 students every year for H.I.V." She says that the test is not anonymous like it would be at a clinic or an H.I.V. testing center. Kyle says, "[The student's] name is attached to the lab result when it is tested at an outside facility, but the test is still considered confidential."
Kyle says that in reality students are having sex and that they do need to be tested for H.I.V. and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs). She also realizes that most students are unaware that the testing is available on campus. Kyle says, "I've never looked into publicizing this more."
Although the college provides services such as H.I.V., STD and pregnancy testing, Kyle is not permitted to administer birth control or condoms to students due to Manhattan College's Lasallian Catholic affiliation.