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University of Minnesota’s Boynton
Health Service officials are investigating whether international students lack
comprehensive sex education. Physicians at the health center have noticed an
increase in STDs, abnormal Pap smears, and positive pregnancy tests among
international students. According to Lisa Mattson, Boynton Women’s Clinic
associate director, approximately a dozen physicians and nurse practitioners
met to discuss the trend and she suggested that a of a lack of sex education
among several international communities could be a factor. Mattson noted that
many of her patients have misconceptions about the effectiveness of condoms and
the chances of pregnancy.
Nan Sinchai, vice president of the
Minnesota International Student Association, commented that many students from
different countries have difficulty talking about sex openly, even to a
physician. Chief Medical Officer Gary Christenson said that Boynton has started
collecting patient data to investigate physicians’ impressions. If findings
show that international students have higher STD and positive pregnancy test
rates, the health service will devise new outreach strategies. According to
Mattson, physicians have started discussing ways to improve the health center’s
presence during orientation and Welcome Week as well as ways to increase
interaction with international student groups. Boynton spokesperson Dave Golden
said that this summer Boynton will begin offering online health videos,
including some on sexual health translated into different languages.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is
dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and
empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV
virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
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