2008 Woodie Awards
HOPE promoting education about STIs for students
By Carol Waters
Issue date: 4/11/08 Section: News
The goal of the Health Outreach through Peer Education program is to promote education about how sexually transmitted infections are affecting college students.
This week, members of that group did so in a way that got the attention of hundreds of students.
HOPE members set up in the University Union lobby a white-sheeted bed with a sign that said "If this looks like a place you want to be, go ahead and sign on me," to demonstrate to students how quick actions could lead to problems in the future.
The bed, which has been signed by several hundred students, was first available to sign on Monday and will be on display until tonight.
"It's a good, interesting way to show students what their decision-making skills mean in the future," 22-year-old HOPE peer educator Michelle Mitchell said. "Getting into bed with someone affects what your life will be like later if you aren't careful now."
HOPE peer educators work in the McLachlan Student Health Center under the supervision of Renee Bateman, coordinator for health promotion.
Bateman stressed the importance of getting tested for sexually transmitted infections, which almost 2,000 SRU students were infected with last year, according to McLachlan Student Health Center records.
Records also stated that HPV, or human papillomavirus is the most prevalent disease on the SRU campus.
HPV is one of the known causes of cervical cancer in women.
According to the Centers for Disease Control Prevention, the HPV virus infects the skin and mucous membranes.
CDC statistics also show that one in three people has an STI. Most of these cases are unknown to the person.
In the past, the CDC has reported that chlamydia has been the most common STI in college students.
Bateman said that the rise of HPV hasn't necessarily been because it has become more prevalent, but rather because more people are getting tested since the release of the vaccine.
"Testing is free at the health center; People should know they can get tested," Bateman said. "The fact that we have condom vending machines shows how active we are about students' safety and disease prevention.
This week, members of that group did so in a way that got the attention of hundreds of students.
HOPE members set up in the University Union lobby a white-sheeted bed with a sign that said "If this looks like a place you want to be, go ahead and sign on me," to demonstrate to students how quick actions could lead to problems in the future.
The bed, which has been signed by several hundred students, was first available to sign on Monday and will be on display until tonight.
"It's a good, interesting way to show students what their decision-making skills mean in the future," 22-year-old HOPE peer educator Michelle Mitchell said. "Getting into bed with someone affects what your life will be like later if you aren't careful now."
HOPE peer educators work in the McLachlan Student Health Center under the supervision of Renee Bateman, coordinator for health promotion.
Bateman stressed the importance of getting tested for sexually transmitted infections, which almost 2,000 SRU students were infected with last year, according to McLachlan Student Health Center records.
Records also stated that HPV, or human papillomavirus is the most prevalent disease on the SRU campus.
HPV is one of the known causes of cervical cancer in women.
According to the Centers for Disease Control Prevention, the HPV virus infects the skin and mucous membranes.
CDC statistics also show that one in three people has an STI. Most of these cases are unknown to the person.
In the past, the CDC has reported that chlamydia has been the most common STI in college students.
Bateman said that the rise of HPV hasn't necessarily been because it has become more prevalent, but rather because more people are getting tested since the release of the vaccine.
"Testing is free at the health center; People should know they can get tested," Bateman said. "The fact that we have condom vending machines shows how active we are about students' safety and disease prevention.
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