Students Applaud HIV Test Policy

Students reacted positively to an announcement yesterday that University Health Services (UHS) will offer anonymous HIV antibody testing beginning early next month.

The change comes in response to a recommendation from the Task Force on HIV Policies, which was formed last February after many students voiced concern about the issue.

UHS currently offers confidential testing, but students have repeatedly expressed concern that such testing does not protect them from discrimination by health insurance companies and employers.

"I think [anonymous] testing is a very good idea, primarily because it makes people feel more confident about being tested," said one student in UHS yesterday who asked not to be identified.

According to a May task force report, a majority of students interviewed by phone in two separate surveys in 1993 and 1994 said they wanted anonymous testing.

Under the new system, students will be identified by a code number only. In confidential testing, the patient is identified by name, and the record of the test can be linked to the client's medical record.

Students said yesterday that keeping test records private was paramount to student's feelings of security.

"I know some people are comfortable enough, that feel the records are private enough [under confidential testing] but I'd be much more likely to get it done with anonymous testing," said Jessica A. Niles '00.

"It is a positive measure because the nature of an AIDS test is very private," said Alexander M. Hurst '99.

The change follows a decision by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to keep publicly-funded anonymous HIV testing available only to high risk individuals, which excludes many Harvard students.

Tobias B. Kasper '97, a task force member and Peer Contraceptive Counseling member, said students in the past have often taken advantage of the off-campus anonymous testing.

"Peer counseling and health education groups have seen a great need for anonymous HIV testing," Kasper said. "We have had to consistently refer students to off-campus sites to satisfy their desire for anonymous testing."

Student can begin to arrange appointments on November 11. The first set of tests will be performed during the week of November 18

Tobias B. Kasper '97, a task force member and Peer Contraceptive Counseling member, said students in the past have often taken advantage of the off-campus anonymous testing.

"Peer counseling and health education groups have seen a great need for anonymous HIV testing," Kasper said. "We have had to consistently refer students to off-campus sites to satisfy their desire for anonymous testing."

Student can begin to arrange appointments on November 11. The first set of tests will be performed during the week of November 18