UConn announces dates for free HIV screenings

The University of Connecticut (UConn) has partnered with Planned Parenthood, a reproductive health organization, to offer free HIV screenings at the school's Health Education Office. In order to keep the procedures private, students don't have to make appointments, and will be screened on a first come, first serve basis. The tests will be available on November 15 and 29, according to The Daily Campus.

Furthermore, on November 2, the university's health office will offer free screenings for other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis. During the last free testing day, approximately 200 students showed up at the department to be screened, the school paper reports.

Neil Deleon, a student at the university, stated that the free HIV screening will help improve "the safety of the entire campus population because then you can prepare yourself." He added that "I have a bunch of friends who have taken advantage of it."

Colleges and universities that also offer similar campus-based screenings can help protect students, who are among the largest at risk groups for STDs, from becoming infected. For instance, for every 100,000 cases of chlamydia diagnosed in the U.S., more than 4,200 cases are found in people aged 20 to 24, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports.

Young people who are concerned about their sexual health, but are uncomfortable with getting tested at school, can benefit from purchasing online testing services.