Dec. 1, 2008 — The AIDS epidemic is a crisis that can't be ignored, Delegate Donna M. Christensen says, a lesson educators put into practice for World AIDS Day Monday at the St. Croix Career and Technical Educational Center (CTEC).
More than 500 students gathered in morning and afternoon assemblies at the Educational Complex auditorium to receive information on protecting themselves and preventing the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.
Although the program is in its sixth year, the students appeared to be nervous and embarrassed, covering their embarrassment with a lot of laughter and giggles.
"There tends to be a lot of embarrassment talking about AIDS, and adolescents will mask their real feelings," said Rita Olans, a nurse practitioner at the Department of Health specializing in adolescent care.
The presenters Monday were Olans; her husband, Dr. Richard Olans, territorial director of infectious diseases at the Department of Health; and Clema Lewis, co-director of the Women's Coalition.
Lewis spoke to the students about rape and sexual abuse before leading a question-and-answer period. The students who asked or answered questions correctly got a beaded necklace with an HIV/AIDS red ribbon logo pendant.
Dr. Olans gave a brief explanation of how AIDS works.
"The virus is spread by sex," Dr. Olans told the students. "It is important for you all to realize how HIV works."
He likened it to a war between the HIV virus and the immune system.
"Like in a war, the side that has the most soldiers wins," Dr. Olans said.
He also spoke about other sexually transmitted diseases, their dangers and lifelong repercussions. The presenters showed students graphic pictures of people infected with sexually transmitted diseases.
"I am glad I learned how to prevent getting AIDS," said Stephanie Rivera.
Dr. Olans stressed over and over to the students that they should get checked.
"If you don't want the infection, you need to be tested," Dr. Olans said. "It is better to prevent the infection than play catchup. The message to remember is, 'Don't get infected — get tested.'"
HIV/AIDS testing was offered at the school Monday, and it continues Tuesday and Wednesday.
"We are not advocating sex here on our campus," Karen Michael, RN and CTEC school nurse, told the students. "But we are here trying to protect you."
After the presentation, numerous students — mostly girls — stayed and asked more questions.
"I learned how to better our community by getting tested early," said Melissa Vigilant. "Getting tested is better than waiting."
Rita Olans said the development of adolescents works against them, as they sometimes think they are infallible.
"They think, 'It won't happen to me,'" Rita Olans said. "When they mature, they realize it can happen to anyone."
More information about HIV/AIDS came from Christensen, a graduate of the George Washington University School of Medicine.
"The HIV/AIDS epidemic has devastated the African-American community and the Caribbean," she said, according to a news release. "As a physician, I am aware of the health-care challenges that people with HIV/AIDS face regarding access to prevention and treatment."
Christensen also touched on the theme of this year's World AIDS Day.
"The battle against HIV/AIDS is far from over, and there is a great urgency for both an international and national response to HIV/AIDS," she said. "This year's theme — to lead, empower and deliver — calls us all to action as communities, governments and leaders to expand HIV prevention and treatment and to address the social determinants of HIV/AIDS, such as poverty and gender inequality."
While the territory has dropped from having the highest rate of HIV in 2006, the drop was not far, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention HIV/AIDS survey released in 2006. The territory now has the second-highest concentration in the United States following New York. The territory remained the third-highest rate of AIDS in 2006 following the District of Columbia and New York.
"These staggering numbers not only highlight the high concentration of HIV/AIDS in the Virgin Islands, but they also suggest that more work needs to be done in the territory," Christensen said. "We cannot afford to ignore this health crisis while it spreads throughout our communities."
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