Condom week 'wraps up' in time for V-day
Sexual health and relationships are focus of Peer Ed campaign
Chelsea Cameron
Issue date: 2/14/08 Section: News
|
The week always falls during Valentine's Day, and this year goes from Feb. 11 to 15. To celebrate the week and raise awareness about pregnancy and sexuality transmitted infections, the Counseling Center and Peer Educators hosted a health fair from Feb. 11 to 13.
Off-campus groups, like Spruce Run and Penquis Family Planning, were also invited. This gave students an idea of what resources are available to them, said Sandy Caron, professor of family relations and human sexuality. On-campus groups, like Greek Peer educators, Athletes for Sexual Responsibility and Male Athletes Against Violence, all had tables and handed out information and condoms. The fair also included the chance to play a Nintendo Wii with beer goggles and watch one of the informational videos made by several of the groups.
"I think everyone is in agreement that condoms are a good thing," said Tina Voigt, a peer educator and third-year psychology major.
As a fun way to get people to use protection, Malinda Merrill and Monica Tardiff, both Peer Educators, came up with the idea of condomgrams. Students could fill a bag with condoms, lube and candy, and it would be delivered anonymously on Valentine's day to the person of their choice.
According to Caron, hundreds of the condomgrams are delivered all over campus. "I think condoms and candy and lube are a good way to get people interested," said Joshua D. Bernstein, a peer educator.
"People associate condoms with disease," Voigt said. It is important to show people that condoms are necessary for their sexual health, she said.
"We just do not have the levels of condom use that we would hope for," said Caron. "They offer the best protection." According to the American Social Health Association, around 19 million new cases of sexually transmitted infections are reported each year.
Be the first to comment on this story