Petrina Francis, Staff Reporter
Kevin Greenwas one of hundreds of persons who turned out yesterday at Emancipation Park, St. Andrew, to participate in the Ministry of Health's free HIV/AIDS testing.
This event was in commemoration of World AIDS Day, which was celebrated under the theme 'Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise - Get Tested'.
But like thousands of Jamaicans, Kevin was uncertain if he really wanted to go ahead and know his status.
Standing near the registration line looking nervous and twiddling his thumbs, The Gleaner approached him and asked if he was going to get tested.
"Well I want to go and do the test but I am scared because I was very promiscuous at one point," he said. "But I think the best thing right now is for me to know so I can take the necessary precautions."
Sweet relief
So the father of two children eventually joined the line, went through the process and got his results. He came out smiling and said his results were negative.
"I feel good now and I will not have unprotected sex again," Kevin told The Gleaner.
He urged persons who are sexually active to protect themselves, "because it is not a nice feeling to be guessing if you have it (HIV)."
There are currently 40 million people infected with HIV/AIDS around the world and in Jamaica there are approximately 25,000 people living with the disease. This figure represents 2,000 more than last year. Of the 25,000 living with HIV/AIDS, 15,000 are not aware of their status.
The Ministry of Health had planned to test about 500 persons yesterday. Testing began at 10:00 a.m and by 10:30 a.m. there were well over 80 persons in the line waiting to be tested. The Gleaner observed more females than males waiting to get tested.
The process began with registration, after which individuals were sent to private booths for pretest counselling. They were then sent to another booth where testing was conducted. After about 30 minutes or more the tests were ready and individuals were sent to another booth where they received their results and post test counselling was conducted.
Name changed upon request
