Taylor Bembery
Associate Editor
As college students, chances are someone you know has HIV. According to the 2011 CDC HIV Surveillance Report, Mississippi has the 7th highest rate of infection among adults and adolescents. There is also a 62.1 percent rate of diagnoses of HIV infection among young adults age 20 to 24 year olds.
The Interdisciplinary Alcohol and Drug Studies Center (IADSC) along with Project Safe at Jackson State University held the HIV 101: Let’s Talk Panel Discussion on Sept. 16 in the College of Liberal Arts. This event was the first panel discussion to kick-off the HIV Prevention Series at JSU.
The series is an outlet for students to become more aware of the HIV epidemic in Mississippi, to learn about prevention resources provided at JSU, and to become comfortable among peers to eliminate stigmas relating to HIV/AIDS.
The panel included three guest speakers; Kendra Johnson, an Epidemiologist with the STD/HIV Office at the Mississippi State Department of Health; Valencia Robinson, an organizer and advocate for HIV/AIDS, LGBT, and Reproductive Justice, and Christopher Russell, a Prevention Specialist with the Interdisciplinary Alcohol and drug Studies Center at JSU.
Johnson began the discussion with a PowerPoint presentation about HIV statistics in Mississippi. The information given had many students, faculty, and staff in shock. Johnson said things such as poverty, lack of transportation and resources, play a large role in the increase of the HIV crisis in the South.
Students were also given advice on what they can do to protect themselves. Robinson added that the first step to prevention is to speak openly with your partner.
“Too often we trust our partners to tell us the truth but we don’t ask enough questions about their sexual history. We find ourselves wanting comfort instead of facing the realities of STDs. Don’t be afraid to ask them who they had sexual relationships with or when was the last time they’ve been tested for HIV. It all makes a difference,” said Robinson.
Tomysyne Ford, a graduate sociology major from Birmingham, Ala., attended the panel discussion so that she could learn about more HIV statistics.
“I want to get more facts on the subject so that I can tell others. I feel like there are a lot of things we are uneducated about in Jackson as students. Coming to this forum will educate others and myself to make smart decisions. The statistics and the facts are relevant to Jackson State. I definitely think this series will be a great help to students,” said Ford.
Melinda Todd, the program coordinator of the HIV Prevention Series at JSU, said education is the key to solving many of the social and health problems that exist. Todd urges more students to participate in the series.
The HIV Prevention Series will continue with another panel discussion in October. Students can call 601-979-2353 about future events, community service opportunities, and HIV/AIDS prevention resources.
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