The University Health Center will continue to offer its Women’s and Men’s Health Clinics, but appointments will now be on Thursdays from 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. beginning on Aug. 30.
The health clinics are designed to offer education for students on varying topics, such as sexually transmitted diseases (STD), prevention and other women’s and men’s health issues. All appointments are to be made online at the University Health Center’s website by submitting the online form.
“I’ve been working in this area since 1978, and I saw many students from Southeastern,” said Megan Louque, an adult and family nurse practitioner at the University Health Center. “Knowing that they can come here and not have to wait because of the cutbacks with the state, it takes a longer time to get an appointment to see someone. I can offer the same services. It’s unique here to have a clinic like that.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Protection (CDC), there are more than 19 million new STD cases every year in the United States, with almost half of these cases among people aged 15 to 24. Also, one in five people that live in the U.S. have HIV but do not know it. In terms of regions, Louisiana ranked 4th highest nationally for AIDS case rates, according to Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals Office of Public Health HIV/AIDS Surveillance in 2010. The University Health Center also offers pregnancy testing and counseling.
“There is a need,” said Louque. “College students don’t usually want a pregnancy right now; it interferes with your future plans and schooling, and I hope to offer all of the services before they have been limited.”
The most reported STD in the U.S. is Chlamydia, with an estimated 3 million Americans infected each year, according to the CDC. Louque understands that many cases happen within the 16 to 24 year old age group, a large portion of the campus, and that testing is the best way to find out if you are infected.
“With Chlamydia, you often don’t know you have it,” said Louque. “Especially women, who don’t have any symptoms. Many are scared away by how the test is done, having to check. I have lots of experience in that department, and we’ll make it very easy.”
For more information, visit the University Health Center during their office hours of 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Fridays or by phone at 985-549-5718.