AIDS Perspectives
Interviews
During my winter break, I interviewed my high school nurse and social worker.
January 2007
Goshen High School
Nurse
Do you think the students at Goshen High School are in risk of HIV?
Nurse: Yes, I do believe the students are in risk of HIV.
Are you aware of any current Goshen High School students who are HIV positive? How many? Past Students? How about AIDS?
Nurse: There has been a small population over the years with AIDS symptoms. Today, there are more students that are more sexually active. This sexually activity is risky because many involve alcohol and drugs. There are more HIV positive people than we realize. I am aware of some, but it is hard to give a number.
As a healthcare provider do you have any legal obligations to provide HIV education?
Nurse: I feel it is my responsibility as a member of the community to speak to students about sex and protection.
Are you allowed to pass out condoms?
Nurse: No, I don’t pass out condoms because there is a state law prohibiting it. I tell students to go to Planned Parenthood for education about various subjects such as sex, condoms, ect.
Is there any information available promoting sexual health? Where? What? Why not in the open?
Nurse: Yes, there are two health classes. I provide phone numbers for the Orange County Health Department and Planned Parenthood. I believe there are pamphlets available in counselors’ rooms; however there is a lot of new information.
Where would you advise a concerned student to get screened?
Nurse: I would advise them to use Planned Parenthood for care and screening.
What support services are available for students?
Nurse: Planned Parenthood provides confidential therapy for the students.
Do you think the majority of the students are aware of this information?
Nurse: I think there are more than we realize; many students visit Planned Parenthood from our high school.
Do you feel there is a gay community in Goshen schools? Are they anymore in risk?
Nurse: Yes, there is definitely gay community in our high school. I provide everyone with the same information.
Do you think the district can improve its outreach of easy access sexual education?
Nurse: We can always improve. In our community, we should continue to make people aware of what’s available. We should work harder to help the surrounding villages, which have more of a problem. I think it is easier for students to find out information themselves because the Internet is so accessible today.
Social Worker
Are you aware of any families in Goshen whom are affected by HIV? How many? How about AIDS?
Social Worker: Every sexually active person is in risk. I’m not aware of anyone in Goshen.
As a health care provider, do you have any legal obligations to provide HIV education?
Social Worker: I don’t have any legal obligations. Students are addressed about STDs in their health classes.
Are you allowed to pass out condoms?
Social Worker: No, it’s not my responsibility.
Is there any information available promoting sexual health? Where? What? Why not in the open?
Social Worker: Yes, right in my room! (He points to a sex education poster.) Also, there is information in health classes. We don’t have HIV educator because it’s all part of our jobs.
Where would you advise a concerned student to get screened?
Social Worker: They should go to Planned Parenthood, own personal physicians, or Orange County Department of health. It depends how comfortable they are with their own doctor. Privacy is a huge concern.
What support services are available for students?
Social Worker: The all places I mentioned before provide health services.
Do you think the majority of the students are aware of this information?
Social Worker: Yes, must students are aware.
Do you feel there is a gay community in Goshen schools? Are they anymore in risk?
Social Worker: Yes, there is a gay community, and they are equally at risk.
Do you think the district can improve its outreach of easy access sexual education?
Social Worker: We are doing a pretty good job here. We do a lot. For example, it’s mandatory to take health.
Do you feel comfortable speaking about what improvements could be made?
Social Worker: My advice is that it can happen to you. Because of the background of the disease people think they are invulnerable. If you are involved in sexually active relationship, you have to take the sexual consequences.” I don’t feel like we are the sex police. If you are going engage, take precautions.