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NewsvineThe difference between one line and two lines can mean a great deal in the life of a young woman. A home pregnancy test can be an important item in the sexual health arsenal of college students, and starting on Monday the tests will become available at the Sexual Health Peer Resource Center (SHPRC) located on the second floor of Vaden Health Center.
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The addition of the pregnancy test to the cornucopia of condoms, lubricants and other sexual health goodies already available at the SHPRC was an obvious next step for co-director Anjali Dixit ‘09.
“I don’t know why it wasn’t offered before,” she said. “A lot of students were coming in asking if we carried pregnancy tests and we would have to say no.”
Starting next week, the answer will be yes. Although Vaden already offers a lab-based pregnancy test, Dixit sees many advantages to the more confidential and informal home pregnancy test option.
Many students may prefer to deal with a peer as opposed to a nurse or physician, she said. Additionally, privacy remains a primary concern. Some students are worried about having the test show up on a Vaden insurance record and ultimately being seen by parents. The SHPRC does not ask for name or class year, but it does check a confidential record of student ID numbers to ensure that a student has paid her special fees.
The new First Response brand tests are the same product carried by major drugstores and supermarkets. Additionally, the tests will be offered at a subsidized price — $4 at the Center as compared to $6 or $7 at Longs Drugs. These tests, which can be used up to five days before an expected period or two weeks after intercourse, produce reasonably reliable results within minutes.
Having purchased the tests, students will be allowed to do what they wish with them, but will be encouraged to take the test at Vaden and then consult with the peer counselor on duty after obtaining results.
“If it’s negative, we would want to talk to them about safer sex,” explained SHPRC counselor Bianca Carpeneti ‘10. “If it’s positive we can offer them other resources depending on what they would want to do.”
Carpeneti told The Daily that the Center is especially helpful if students are apprehensive about seeking help from health care professionals.
“We’re a resource center where students can go to talk to their peers,” she said. “If they need a pregnancy test or counseling, we’re a good first step for people who are nervous or scared or worried.”
Students were happy to hear of the new addition to the SHPRC’s list of sexual health products, but some were wary of the counseling option.
“I think it’s great that they’re offering pregnancy tests,” said Kim Thai ‘11. “But it would be sort of awkward talking to a counselor after taking the test. It’s a very personal matter.”