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In 2009 the new cases of HIV in Southwest Missouri are expected to hit a 10 year high. With today being World AIDS Day several events are planned to raise awareness, so next year’s numbers won’t increase. KSMU’s Kristian Kriner reports.
 

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APO

The APO After Dark facility. Photo Credit: Alex Crowder

APO

The APO After Dark facility. Photo Credit: Alex Crowder

APO

A testing room at the APO After Dark facility. Photo Credit: Alex Crowder

APO

Photo Credit: Alex Crowder

APO

An aids test kit. Photo Credit: Alex Crowder

APO

Marlin Martin, Care Director at the AIDS Project of the Ozarks. Photo Credit: Alex Crowder

APO

A testing room at the APO After Dark facility. Photo Credit: Alex Crowder

World AIDS Day started in 1988 which was seven years after the virus was discovered.

Local organizations are getting out today to handout flyers and encourage people to get tested.

A Missouri State University student organization called “One” is encouraging people to wear red today.

Eric Mayle is the president and co-founder of the Missouri State University chapter of “One.”

“We’re encouraging people to dress head to toe in red. We’ll be tabling outside of Sicleuff from 10:00-2:00. We’re going to have a coupon for a discount for Global Fayre downtown. We’re going to have a coupon for some free music downloads. We’re going to have a red ribbon for them to wear. They’re going to be able to enter a drawing for a t-shirt, so we’re going to be giving away a ton of free stuff for people who come by and show us their red,” Mayle said.

Members of AIDS Project of the Ozarks say they use December 1st as a day to make sure people get tested for HIV and understand how the virus is spread.

Marlen Martin is the director of outreach at AIDS Project of the Ozarks
He says the virus is spreading rapidly among teenagers and young adults.

“We are seeing younger and younger folks being infected with HIV and in fact the 14-24 year old age group has seen the most significant increase in new infections in the past three years here in Missouri,” Martin said.

He says his organization has been going to local universities, high schools and junior high schools to talk to students.

Martin says HIV rates in Missouri match the nation-wide statistics.

“We know that there are about 1,500 individuals in Southwest Missouri living with HIV and of those approximately 45 percent have been diagnosed with AIDS as well,” Martin said.

He says every minute eight people worldwide are infected with HIV.

Martin says AIDS Project of the Ozarks teaches kids and adults to remember the ABCs of HIV and AIDS prevention.

“The ‘A’ stands for abstinence. Delay having sex and don’t be having sex with individuals until you are really ready to have sex. Then we talk about ‘B’ which is to be faithful. If you decide to be sexually active, then only have one partner. Then ‘C’, lastly, would stand for condoms,” Martin said.

He says condoms have been shown to help prevent the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.

AIDS Project of the Ozarks will be offering free HIV testing today at Drury University from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm and at Missouri State University from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.

The group will also host a candlelight vigil tonight featuring the MSU gospel choir and several speakers starting at 5:00 pm at Park Central Square in downtown Springfield.

Planned Parenthood will also be offering free HIV testing from 10:00 am to 7:30 pm at its Springfield location and from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm at its Joplin location.

For KSMU News, I’m Kristian Kriner.

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