THE EDITOR, Sir:
The University of the West Indies is dismayed by The Sunday Gleaner's approach to the very real problem which HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases pose not only for the university but also for nations worldwide. The headline used for the article carried on Sunday, August 11, completely misrepresents the situation, as it exists at the UWI. Further, it was not supported by the information carried in the body of the article and merely served to perpetuate many of the misconceptions that exist about this disease.The university is also concerned by the article's selective presentation of statistics from the survey. Results reported in the survey, when compared with results from the general population, confirm that the students are not being as irresponsible as The Gleaner would suggest. I should like to highlight some of the findings of the survey to illustrate this point.
The figures for the number of sexual partnerships in the last 12 months were almost similar to the general population - men (2.6) Females (1.0) compared to the university students (2.8 and 1.23 respectively). However, there was a difference in the mean age for first sexual encounter (13 years for males and 14 years for females) in the general population compared to the university sample (males 14.9 years and females 18.4 years).
Some 24 per cent of the students surveyed were not sexually active in the previous months, compared to 7-9 per cent in the general population aged 15-49 years. This suggests that the students are being responsible and engaging in protective behaviour.
With regard to condom use, university students' use with a non-steady partner, (men 78 per cent and women 71 per cent) was not statistically significant but a little better than the general population (males 77 per cent females 67 per cent).
With a steady partner, university students' condom use (men 52 per cent and women 42 per cent) was almost similar to that of the general population (men 52 per cent females 38 per cent).
Other findings indicated that some 70 per cent of the university students discussed safer sex practices with their partner. Over one-third of the students reported that they had an HIV test done, whereas only 25 per cent were tested in the general population. Thirty-one per cent of the students were religious or very spiritual and attend weekly religious services.
The Gleaner's treatment of the survey is most disheartening given that even in the article itself it was acknowledged that overall, the student population is more informed than the general population, and is no less compliant.
The UWI has been contributing to the fight against HIV/AIDS for several years and has adopted a policy on how to deal with the disease among staff and students. One of the outcomes of this has been the establishment of the UWI/HIV/AIDS Response Programme (UWIHARP), to assist the university in maintaining an appropriate level of HIV/AIDS awareness among persons in the campus community and forge links with governmental, academic and community-based organisations involved in HIV/AIDS prevention and care regionally and internationally.
The University Health Centre has long had an education programme in place to heighten awareness of the disease among members of the student body. Its most recent initiative was the observation of World AIDS Day when a poster exhibition was mounted at the Undercroft and various medical and non-medical speakers were invited to discuss the disease and its implications, with members of the student body.
As recently as February this year, the university invited a leading educator in the field of HIV/AIDS to deliver public lectures on the AIDS epidemic as well as interact with staff and students on the need for ongoing public education.
The UWI is aware that the effort to maintain awareness is an ongoing one. New students enter the institution at regular intervals and so, there is periodic assessment to determine whether new approaches need to be taken in the effort to control and/or prevent the spread of the virus. The study to which the article referred was conducted as part of a UWI needs assessment to determine the present level of awareness among students and how best to impart information to the target groups. It is most unfortunate that this effort should now be used to tarnish the reputation and the efforts of the entire university community.
I should like to comment on another aspect of the story, that quotation from the un-named student about the behaviour of some of the males on campus. This rumour about male students seeking out new 'girls they believe are virgins' surfaces periodically, yet the facts do not indicate that this is a widespread practice in the age group under discussion.
The university does not dispute the fact that some UWI students, like some young people everywhere, engage in risky sexual behaviour. Further, since the university is a microcosm of the wider society, it is hardly surprising that some members of the community would display behavioural characteristics which are commonplace in the society as a whole. However, this is a far cry from suggesting that UWI students as a group are a promiscuous, careless lot who are ignorant of the consequences of risky behaviour and therefore put themselves 'at high risk'.
The media need to adopt a more responsible and sensitive approach to the reporting and handling of the HIV/AIDS issue. It is only in this way that we will even begin to overcome the challenges, which we all face.
I am, etc.,
CARROLL EDWARDS
Public Relations Officer
UWI, Mona
