Free HIV Test &Counselling Initiative at Rosebank College, Braamfontein

 Free HIV Test & Counselling Initiatives

By Didintle Mokgoatlheng   14 September 2022



Figure 1Rosebank College students in lines for the HIV Testing registrations. Picture: Didintle Mokgoatlheng

The NACOSA free HIV Test and Counselling Initiatives held on the 16-17 August 2022, from 10:00AM-16:00PM at Rosebank College, Braamfontein in regards to HIV/AIDS Awareness Day by informing the youth with sexual health matters.

In partnership with WITS Reproductive and HIV Institution (WITS RHI), USAUD and PEPFAR, Rosebank College took the initiative to create a 2 day HIV/AIDS awareness campaign for their students, informing them more on sexual health and sexual awareness, mainly for sexual active students. The 6 hour campaign consisted of services like HIV Counselling & Testing, Sexual Reproductive Health Services: PrEP, Condom Referral, Post-Violence Care, Economic Strengthening, PVC referral; this includes psychological support, forensic services or legal and protective services.

 

 The 2 day community based project by WITS RHI and Rosebank College is to help students know their status and stay health wise, not only for them but also for their sexual experiences and partners. Paballo Konoakoaone, who is one of the WITS RHI consultant described the event as a ‘way to redirect positive health matters’, she further states that: “being a part of this initiative has brought so much awareness especially to the students and we as the WITS RHI, we try to make it as comfortable for our patients to not feel scared when coming in for testing”.

The initiative is to encourage better and safe sexual relations among the youth as we know that the youth is the most sexually active group, with this comes a lot of self-awareness and doing the right thing. With more than 50 students that made their way to P2 for HIV consultation, a lot was learnt with the kind of information that was shared. Mbalenhle Khumalo (23) who is a 3rd year student at Rosebank College stated: “I was scared to come to the consultation even though I’ve known about if for weeks now and I had to courage to come here and learn more about PrEP which is something I didn’t know existed, so I’m proud of myself for taking charge, my friends are also here so it makes it less intense”



Figure 2 Main factors the WITS RHI and USAID at Rosebank College Braamfontein. Picture: Didintle Mokgoatlheng

With qualified nurses and practitioners on standby, students came in numbers, specifically for HIV testing and PrEP consultation. In this case, drawing of blood was performed to various students who waited in lines to know their status. A PrEP process that was performed as a medical solution for HIV prevention, usually comes in a pack of pills, female and male students were being informed about the pros and cons of being on the HIV prevention pill and these pills can only be given to students who tested HIV Negative.

The Prep pill starts being active in your body after 7 continuous days of taking it and is suggested to be taken every time in doubt of sexual partner’s status and sexual safety.

The Youth Zone was available as mobile clinics around P2 and were placed for patient and nurse sessions and confidentiality services.

For more information, visit www.myprep.co.za OR www.bwisehealth.com OR www.rosebankcollege.co.za

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