by Ben Sheffler
Ben Sheffler/The Corsair
Free condoms and HIV tests were offered by the Aids Healthcare Foundation on the Pensacola campus on Tuesday, Oct. 8.
“We make it a priority to come to college campuses to provide condoms and to educate and increase HIV awareness,” said Rose Marshall, an HIV testing counselor for the AHF.
The testing process takes just a few minutes, and involves a simple prick of a finger to draw blood.
About fifteen people had been tested by noon, according to Marshall.
“We encourage people to get tested every three months if you’re sexually active with more than one partner,” said Kristyn Souto, an intern for the AHF.
If someone tests positive, more tests will be given to confirm the result.
“We don’t judge,” Souto said.
When asked if HIV/AIDS was still a problem in the U.S., Marshall said, “Most definitely.”
“About one in every four college students will contract an STD before they graduate,” Marshall said.
Located on Bayou Blvd in Pensacola, FL, the AHF Wellness Center provides free HIV and STD testing and treatment at no cost.
Marshall said that the Center has their own pharmacy with reduced rates on prescriptions, including generic medicines.
Based in Los Angeles, CA, the AHF is a global organization that provides “cutting edge medicine and advocacy regardless of ability to pay,” according to its website.
The AHF is on PSC’s Pensacola campus every second Tuesday of the month from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., usually in the parking lot between building 11 and 21.
For more information, call AHF at 850-470-8071 or visit http://freestdcheck.org and http://freehivtest.net.