May 24 Student Social Service of the National Technical University of Ukraine “Igor Sikorsky Kiev Polytechnic Institute” (further - SSS) conducted a social-preventive action “Take a HIV test at your university!” from free anonymous express testing for HIV infection to all students, postgraduates, teachers and employees of the KPI. The action took place on the premises of the SSS, which is on the Borshchagivska Street (the dormitory).

The participants of the action were given medical and psychological counseling on HIV/AIDS prevention issues. During the relief effort, all participants received brochures, leaflets promoting healthy lifestyles on topics such as: “HIV Testing Saves Lives”, “Simple Steps to Protect Yourself and Your Partner, Use Condom!”, “Take a test! Keep Your Health!”, business cards with addresses of offices of trust and AIDS centers and men's contraceptives. Total testing was carried out by 92 people.

Similar campaigns are held twice a year since 2007. The next HIV test is scheduled for December 2017 before the World AIDS Day.

In parallel with the HIV testing, two more actions were held on HIV, AIDS, hepatitis B and C and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among young people.

On the street Polytechnic and Polyana Square, the SSS supported the volunteer initiative of students in the field of information technology for conducting an informational social and preventive action “FREEHUGS” in order to promote tolerance to HIV-infected people and HIV-infection, AIDS, Hepatitis B and C and STDs prevention among young people.

Volunteers SSS with the plates “FREEHUGS! HIV is not transmitted through the arms!” offered to young people who were unfamiliar with each other to embrace, and then explained that despite the status of people (regardless of whether they are infected with HIV or not) they should be tolerant and support HIV-positive people, as well as clearly to realize that through friendship, hugs and communication it is impossible to get HIV.

The SSS volunteers told students about HIV transmission routes, invited them to undergo HIV testing in the SSS and distributed information leaflets to the participants on the topic: “HIV is not transmitted through friendship”, “Protect yourself from the virus, not from people!”, “HIV test: fast, reliable, safe”, etc., as well as male contraceptives. About 50 students of KPI took part in this relief effort.

The SSS also launched an informational socially-prophylactic action on the distribution of information leaflets, brochures, booklets and preservatives by volunteers in order to overcome negative phenomena in the student's environment, to develop a conscious attitude towards their health promoting a healthy lifestyle and raising awareness of the risk of HIV/AIDS, STDs, hepatitis B and C, as well as preventing these diseases among students – “KPIshnik, be aware!”.

In total, this action covered about 1,500 people, distributed about 1,5 thousand informational booklets and 9,5 thousand latex condoms.

The actions were supported by the International Charity Foundation “Public Health Alliance” and the Delegation of the USA Anti-AIDS Foundation in Ukraine.

Daria Maksymchuk, methodologist of the SSS

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