This is a guest post by Arianna Mohiuddin who has been a SHAPE sexual health educator for the past three years at UAB. Aware that students at UAB need sexual health resources, she wanted to use iloveuab.com as a medium to convey sexual health messages to students. Enjoy her post!

Sexual Health 101

Okay students, it’s time for a pop quiz! Can you guess the most important yet often overlooked factor in reducing your risk for unintended pregnancies, STIs, and HIV/AIDS? I’ll give you a hint, it starts with the letters C-O!

You guessed it (or maybe not)..communication! Communication, when conducted effectively and openly, is a vital tool for safer sexual health decision making. Although college students’ views on sex and sexuality are highly variable and influenced by personal beliefs, culture, and values, the consensus amongst clinicians is that sexual health comprises an essential component of overall health and wellness.

Considering that the rates of STIs in Alabama are amongst the nation’s highest, particularly for young adults, and that college students are a sexually active bunch (although the percentage of sexually active students is often overestimated by college students and the media), I hope to devote this post (and maybe a few more) to the sexual health of UAB students. The role of social media in COmmunicating about sexual health is vital, so let’s get the ball rolling!

Thus, this introduction post (as well as more to come) will seek to provide students with accurate, up-to-date information about sexual health issues and resources within the Greater Birmingham area. This includes, but is not limited to, an updated list STI/HIV testing locations, locations where students can obtain free or low-cost contraception, information about free condom distributions, myths about sexual health, and much, much more!

NOTE: Nothing on this website seeks to provide medical advice or recommendations for treatment options. This post is for health information purposes only. For questions about sexual health, please see your health care provider.

Your ideas are important and highly valued! Please submit all content-related questions and/or suggestions me, Arianna, by using the contact form.

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