Dispelling AIDS myths

by Sunnie Redhouse

Daily Lobo

UNM's Student Health Center and Planned Parenthood of New Mexico participated in World AIDS Day and Final Rubout on Thursday.

The day was meant to educate the public about HIV and AIDS, and present an opportunity for students to get free massages before finals. The Final Rubout happened to be scheduled the same day as World AIDS Day, so the UNM Student Health Center combined the two events, said Shirlee James-Johnson, manager of UNM's Health Education.

"We want students to have correct factual information, especially when it comes to AIDS because there are a lot of myths," Johnson said.

Some of the myths about AIDS are that only African-Americans are prone to the disease, the disease is contracted by touching someone with AIDS and the disease is contracted by saliva, said Michelle Amaya, community prevention coordinator of Planned Parenthood of New Mexico.

Johnson said bringing in resources from outside the campus is a way to help students succeed and make their lives easier by raising awareness.

"We want them to know they are part of the solution," she said. "That's why we bring in the resources - to show them they can be involved in the solution."

Although many organizations say abstinence is the only prevention for HIV and AIDS, Planned Parenthood was there to inform students of other options, Amaya said.

"We want to educate people about what we're trying to do," she said. "We want to let people know that HIV didn't disappear - it's still alive."

UNM student Justin Wade from Germany said it was important to raise awareness to a college population because he said he feels most students don't take it seriously.

"I noticed that in America, a lot of students are not educated about sex, especially coming out of public schools," he said. "People think nothing will happen to them."

Many approaches were taken to inform students, including prizes given in exchange of correct answers to questions regarding AIDS. New Mexico AIDS Services offered free oral testing that took place in a small tent set up next to the table.

After a sample of saliva is taken from a person, the sample is tested for existing antibodies in the system, said Douglas Capitan, community health promoter of New Mexico AIDS Services.

"It's the most user-friendly approach," Capitan said. "It also doesn't take too much time to do."

Capitan said although many people, especially students, feel they know everything there is to know about HIV and AIDS, they still have misinterpretations.

"A lot of people who know the information know a lot of the wrong information," he said. "If we can at least reach one person, then we've reached our goal."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are about 850,000 to 950,000 HIV-positive people living in the United States. There are an estimated 180,000 to 280,000 HIV-positive people who do not know they are infected by the disease.

Forty-two percent of the cumulative AIDS cases were among whites, 38 percent among African-Americans, 18 percent among Hispanics and less than 1 percent among Asian Americans and American Indians.

Brian Serna, health educator for the New Mexico Department of Health, said unlike other organizations at the event, he and students from the South Valley Male Involvement Project wanted to raise awareness about males and their connection to HIV and AIDS.

"What we're trying to focus on is male responsibility," Serna said.

Serna said most men feel they don't need to consider consequences of their actions, and females should be the ones to do so.

"We're here to get the word out. (Men) need to think of themselves as part of the solution," Serna said.

He said male students in the project are vital to getting the word out about male responsibility among issues such as AIDS awareness.

UNM student Veronica Gonzales said AIDS is a leading deadly disease and is reason enough for students to become aware.

"We all think we are invincible, but we're not. We need to protect ourselves," Gonzales said. "HIV and AIDS is not something that's worth risking your life for, and there are ways to protect yourself from the disease."