The University of Auckland is offering a free, confidential sexual health service to students starting from this week. That means no more excuses for neglecting sexual health; I’m talking to you “I’m too big for a condom” guy.
Sexual health clinics will be held on the last Tuesday of every month at Workshop 101 in Kate Edger Information Commons at the City Campus from 3-6 p.m.
The next workshop is on Tuesday 31 May. No appointment is necessary, and students are encouraged to drop in to see “one of the friendly team.”
Hosted in partnership with Auckland Sexual Health Services and the New Zealand Aids Foundation, students can be tested for HIV, syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhoea and trichomoniasis at the clinics.
The clinics are promised to be a non-evasive, safe environment and the staff are all trained professionals who are well equipped in supporting anyone that may test positive and can answers questions about general sexual health.
Health Promotion Advisor, Thibaut (Tee) Bouttier-Esprit told Craccum that for HIV and syphilis, you’ll get your result in a minute.
“A pin prick is made on the tip of the finger, a sample of blood is obtained with a pipette and then tested.”
The process for chlamydia, gonorrhoea and trichomoniasis (for those with vaginas) will take a bit longer; results can take up to two weeks.
“Students can self-test using the swabs provided. The clinic is located close to toilet facilities for this purpose and gender-neutral bathrooms are accessible upon request. A clinician will get in touch if you test positive, so no news is good news,” says Tee.
Auckland Sexual Health Services state that if you are sexually active, it is a good idea to have a sexual health test. But you probably knew that anyway; no one wants to be ringing their past year’s worth of one-night stands.
The service says it’s important to have a check-up as many sexually transmitted infections don’t have symptoms. The best time to do a check-up is two weeks after having sex with someone new.
Co-editor Naomii, a self-described “certified HoeTM” notes that “getting regular STI checks is fuss free…. Sexual health workers are really chill and understanding, they want you to get that yum and be safe doing so”. She calls for “destigmatising sexual health and STIs. Many are treatable, and a check is easier and faster than you’d think”.
Earlier this year, Craccum spoke to Suzanne, a sexual health nurse practitioner, who had a simple message to anyone worried about having an STI: “The most important thing is to know what’s going on, and you cannot know that unless you get tested or speak to a professional.”
You can contact Auckland Sexual Health Services or any of these places; your GP, Family Planning clinics, or Accident and Medical clinics to get a test.
Students who are enrolled at UHCS can also access full sexual health services at any time.
