ULM worked with local public health organizations to organize a Health and Wellness Fair on April 8. Student nurses posted two stations across campus: an information booth outside the HUB and a testing center in Sandel Hall.
Attendees conversed with nursing instructors and students, discussing the prevalence of STDs on college campuses. The fair covered topics such as how STDs spread and how to practice safe sex.
The interactive discussions helped students understand the risks associated with STDs and gave them practical knowledge about preventing transmission. Key preventive measures mentioned by workers include avoiding sharing food, using protection during sexual activity and undergoing regular testing.
After finishing at the HUB, students could trek across campus to Sandel Hall for STD testing, blood glucose screenings and blood pressure readings.
Upon arriving at Sandel Hall, students filled out a form with their medical information and waited for nursing students to take their blood pressure and glucose. After a few minutes and an uncomfortable prick (or two), participants would be called into a private room for the STD tests. These tests included syphilis and HIV, but students were recommended to attend ULM’s Affinity Health Clinic if in need of other or further testing.
The fair focused on raising awareness about STDs since April is observed as STD Awareness Month. Health organizations, such as the Center for Disease Control, note that ULM has high STD rates when compared to other state universities when studying chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis rates. Ranking over 268% above the national average in 2016, ULM continues to see fluctuations in the number of students diagnosed with STDs.
Students wanting to be tested can schedule an appointment with the ULM Health Clinic. ULM’s Health Clinic website states that the school “offers basic family practice services as well as immunizations, laboratory services, flu clinics, prescription/medication pick-up and general health screenings to all ULM students and employees.”