African-Americans account for 30 percent of the state's population but represent 73 percent of the HIV/AIDS cases recently diagnosed in South Carolina.

Nearly seven of every 10 men and eight of every 10 women diagnosed are African-American.

Among youth and young adults in South Carolina, 80 percent who are diagnosed are African-American.

The latest 2005 state Department of Health and Environmental Control surveillance report also shows that Bamberg and Orangeburg counties ranked second and third, respectively, in the state for HIV/AIDS cases.

Public health advocates say it is time for everyone, particularly African-Americans, to get tested, know their status and then begin to implement the lifestyle changes needed to keep themselves disease-free.

National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is Feb. 7. As part of the seventh annual observance, the Edisto Savannah Public Health District and South Carolina State University will partner with DHEC to sponsor activities that address the disproportionate HIV/AIDS impact on the black community

Confidential HIV testing and HIV educational forums are being held Wednesday.

To decrease one's chances and the community's infection rates, people must avoid unprotected sex and sharing needles or syringes for "street" or prescription drugs.

Bonnie Fogle, an HIV program nurse and case manager at the Orangeburg County Health Department, said she wants people to develop a mindset that they are going to get tested, find out they are negative and stay that way. When a young woman recently told Fogle that she had been tested every six months and was negative until she was pregnant, it hit the nurse that people aren't changing their behaviors.

"And if you don't change to reduce risk, then one day you may test ... positive," Fogle said.

Pinkey Carter, assistant director of the Brooks Health Center on the South Carolina State University campus, said she urges all students to know their status and make responsible choices regarding their sexual health.

T&D Staff Writer Dionne Gleaton can be reached by e-mail at dgleaton@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5534. Discuss this and other stories online at www.thetandd.com

You must be logged in to comment.