School is now in full swing for students at the U, but before students proceed with what has now become the cliche of sexual promiscuity, a brief reminder: According to Planned Parenthood, by the age of 24, one in three sexually active people will have contracted a sexually transmitted infection (STI)-better known as an STD, or a sexually transmitted disease.
There are 15 million new cases of STIs reported every year. Of those, one-fourth are teenagers, according to recent studies.
STIs have been called the “hidden epidemic” because they are rarely discussed but are slowly infecting more and more people each day.
Getting tested for STIs is something that every sexually active college student at the U should consider, according to officials.
Carmine McDonald, the nurse manager at Student Health Services, said their STI screening service is “a service that is utilized, but probably not utilized as much as it could be.”
The Daily Utah Chronicle conducted a survey given to 100 random students on campus, and of them, 60 percent of students had not been tested for STIs, and 70 percent of those polled admitted to having three or more sexual partners.
One of the main problems seems to be that students aren’t sure where they need to go to get tested.
For on-campus services, Student Health Services offers STI screenings. Students can get tested for certain STIs or for all of them.
“In most cases, people come in if they are starting a new relationship,” McDonald said.
According to The Chronicle survey, 67 percent of those polled never asked their partners if they have been tested for an STI.
Students can also get HIV-test counseling.
“Everything is confidential, which means it is not attached to a medical record,” McDonald said. “They younger student population might think that the results of their tests will be reported on their records or reported to their family, but that is a misnomer. Everything is confidential.”
Another place where students can go to get tested close to campus is Planned Parenthood. Planned Parenthood offers STI testing, treatment, counseling and education.
The closest campus location of Planned Parenthood to the U is at 654 S. 900 East. The phone number is 322-5571. Planned Parenthood has 855 national centers in 49 states.
Another service that Planned Parenthood can boast is “The Facts of Life” line, which can give people confidential recorded messages about sexual and personal health. The line is available to call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The number for “The Facts of Life” is 1-800-227-8922.
There is also a Sexually Transmitted Disease National Hotline, which can provide referrals to clinics and other services. The phone number for the hotline is 1-800-227-8922.
According to The Chronicle survey, 30 percent of students thought they had a zero- to 25-percent chance of contracting an STI. Fifty percent indicated that they believed they had a 25- to 50-percent chance of contracting an STI.
“Perhaps it’s nature’s way of ridding our society of the intellectually challenged,” said Laura Neubauer, a U junior. “A universal commitment to simply think before we f*** may have a profound impact on the spread of this preventable nastiness we call STDs.”
Another reason that many students don’t get tested for STIs is fear. “People don’t like thinking that someone knows that they have a reason to be tested,” McDonald said. “Some don’t want others to know that they are sexually active. Also, some just have a fear of the procedures we use to test for STIs.”
The survey said 40 percent of those polled were intoxicated from alcohol or other drugs 75- to 100-percent of the times they had sex.
McDonald says she would strongly suggest getting tested for STIs “for your own health. It’s a good way to be conscious of your personal health and concerns,” she said. Student Health Services is located at 555 Foothill Blvd. It’s open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Call 581-6431 to set up an appointment.