More than 2,000 condoms distributed in 4-hour fair on Mall

Safe sex and STD prevention are taking center stage during Sexual Responsibility Week, which centers around today's Valentine's Day holiday.

Organizations such as the Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation, Pride Alliance and Planned Parenthood of Southern Arizona were on campus yesterday to provide health information and inform the community of the variety of services available.

Leeann Hamilton, health educator for Campus Health Services, said about 600 people visited the booths on the Mall and more than 2,000 condoms were given out during the four-hour health fair.

Condoms are still being sold in bulk at Campus Health.

"People asked questions like, 'What is the best condom?' and 'Where do I get tested for STDs?'" she said.

Erica Haller, a community health education senior, said she was amazed by the genuine interest of the visitors to the booths.

"I was surprised about people getting extensive information rather than just the free giveaways," she said. "If nothing else, there are at least 2,000 condoms that weren't out there already."

As part of the week's events, the Pima County Health Department will be on campus today conducting free, anonymous HIV testing. The testing will take place from noon to 3 p.m. in Old Main's Health Promotion Office.

The test will be done with an oral swab and no needles or blood drawing is involved. Those being tested will be given a number and no names will be asked.

The health department will schedule appointments for those tested and will return to campus two weeks later to give them their results.

Susan Eisen, coordinator of testing for Pima County Health Department, said the free testing has drawn 30 to 50 people in each of the past couple years.

She encouraged people who may be afraid of getting tested to speak with one of the three counselors who will be present at the testing site to receive a better understanding of what the test is all about.

"For those people who are afraid, they should first talk to someone to get information," she said. "Knowledge puts you in control of your life and fear is usually based on a lack of knowledge."

Eisen said if the results are negative, people are encouraged to continue taking steps to stay that way or if positive - begin receiving health care.

"Everyone should know if they have it or not to prevent transmission. It takes an HIV positive person to infect a negative one," she said.