Editor’s Note: This report has been corrected to show that 142 University students (6.8 percent of the 2,097 students tested) that visited the Student Health Center in 2008 tested positive for Chlamydia.
Many students may already be stressing about upcoming exams and projects with two weeks of classes already in the books.But recent studies might just spark concern about a different kind of test — STD tests.Last week, the Center for Disease Control said sexually transmitted diseases, which statistics previously showed had been on the decline, are now rapidly rising, and Chlamydia cases are reaching unprecedented highs.But increases in the number of people getting tested lie at the root of the STD boom.Testing is an important factor when analyzing the University’s sexual health because, although the University’s STD data hasn’t fluctuated from the national average, STD testing numbers are at a standstill.”In 2008, only 2,097 students came [to the Student Health Center] for testing,” said Ashley Granger, Health Center Wellness Education coordinator. “[Of these,] 6.8 percent … tested positive for Chlamydia.”The 142 students testing positive for Chlamydia is minute when compared to the 23,400 undergraduates enrolled at the University. But many don’t consider the nearly 21,300 University students not getting tested each year.In spring 2008, the American College Health Association conducted a study of the University’s general health by surveying 715 students.According to this survey, 44.4 percent of students didn’t use preventative STD methods during their last vaginal sex encounter, and 96.1 percent didn’t use a condom during oral sex.”You can definitely get an STD from oral sex.” Granger said. “If you’re in [any kind of] sexual relationship, whether it’s high risk or low risk, you need to … keep up with your [STD] testing. People … may think they’re safe when they’re not.”Laci Lemoine, secondary education junior, spoke to a classmate who told a story about how she was out the night before and had lost her favorite boots. “Boots Girl” had received several text messages from a random guy who “had a lot of fun with [her] last night.” To Lemoine’s surprise, the girl was more concerned about whether he had her boots than the “God knows what” she did with him. “I think the majority of sexually active people just assume … [an STD] couldn’t happen to them,” Lemoine said. But University students assuming they’re sexually healthy isn’t completely speculative. The University ranked No. 2 among Southeastern Conference schools in a Trojan Condoms’ national study of the most sexually healthy universities.But Louisiana ranked No. 2 on a very different list — states with the most reported cases of gonorrhea, according to the CDC. Studies also show Louisiana among the country’s highest in reported Chlamydia and Syphilis cases.Granger said the University and the state’s contradicting STD rates could be results of different environments.She said University students live in an environment where health care is easily available and sexually healthy relationships are encouraged. But most Louisiana residents do not.In another ACHA study, University students were asked about their number of sexual partners. Although most students guessed their peers’ average to be around six or seven partners, the actual average was only one.”Students recently are dealing with more mental health issues [rather] than going out and having … multiple sexual partners,” Granger said. “Having unsafe sex would add to their worries. After Mardi Gras, well, that’s a different story.”STD testing among students increases drastically in the weeks after Mardi Gras vacation, Granger said. About 16 percent of University students claimed to have unprotected sex while under the influence of alcohol, according to the ACHA study.”We know things like this happen,” Granger said. “There’s no judgment … we just want [students] to be responsible about the choices they make.”Testing also tends to increase a few weeks into students’ first semester. Granger said this increase is usually attributed to students “adjusting to new friends, new events and life away from home.”Whatever the reason a student may get tested, the Health Center assures free gynecologist or physician consultations, counseling and STD information, among other things.”The Wellness Department also provides free condoms,” Granger said. “The pharmacy has them … six for $1. You can’t even get that at CVS.”Health Center STD testing is also available a low cost, ranging from $26 to $50 depending on the processes involved. If a student is unable to pay the testing fee, the Health Center will help them “get connected to resources in the community on a very slide scale fee or at no cost at all,” according to Granger.Granger said students’ testing information is completely confidential. The bills aren’t sent home but appear as a Health Center charge with no specific details on the student’s fee bill.But if students are still uneasy about Health Center STD testing, the local STD clinic and Planned Parenthood offer other alternatives. The STD clinic is located downtown in the Office of Public Health and, unlike the Health Center and Planned Parenthood, requires no appointment.Most likely, testing for students will be easier and cheaper at the Health Center than anywhere else, Granger said.”Students can come in and ask … about [STDs] for themselves, a report or even for a friend,” Granger said. “It doesn’t matter who they’re asking for, there’s no judgment   — we’re going to give you the information.”——Contact Natalie Roy at nroy@lsureveille.com