Up for discussion: Encouraging use of condoms

Bright colored wrappers fill Plexiglas bins in the converted old mail cart. What looks like a candy store on wheels is actually the Love Lab, full of latex condoms in a variety of sizes, styles and, um … flavors.

The Love Lab, which student interns use to distribute free condoms in high-traffic areas on campus, helps promote safer sex practices among sexually active students. One of its next outings will be during Ask Me for a Condom Week from Feb. 9 to 13.

Although surveys indicate that more than half of the UC Davis student population is sexually active, only 50 percent of those use condoms, according to Polly Paulson, health educator for Student Health Services.

Keeping students safe

"We’d like to see those numbers go up — that’s our reason for increasing condom distribution," Paulson said. "There is strong evidence that condom use decreases the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Our goal is to keep students safe and also to decrease unwanted pregnancies," she added.

Student Health Services has long offered condoms for free or at a reduced cost to students. But with the Love Lab debut in 2007, more students are taking advantage of the offer. Last year, 73,000 condoms were distributed; in the fall quarter of 2008, more than 39,000 condoms were dispensed.

"The word is out," Paulson said. "The Love Lab has gotten quite popular."

At least once a week, two or more interns with Health Education and Promotion’s sexual health team take the Love Lab to high-traffic locations on campus — such as the Activities and Recreation Center, Segundo dining commons and the Memorial Union patio. Dressed in white lab coats, the students use props to conduct product demonstrations, answer questions and distribute pamphlets about safer sex practices.

Students may ask for up to 10 condoms per visit. In addition to condoms, the Love Lab supplies personal lubricant, female condoms and dental dams.

During Ask Me for a Condom Week, the Love Lab will be in use, and staff and interns from Student Health Services will be wearing buttons to invite other students to ask for free condoms. Last year, 10,000 condoms were distributed in a three-day period.

Education for prevention

"Education is the best tool for prevention," said Sumeet Singh, one of two sexual health student coordinators who oversee 10 interns. Singh of Tracy, Calif., is a senior majoring in neurobiology, physiology and behavior, and her interest in public health — especially sexual health — led her to become involved with the program.

"Good communication can lower the incidence of sexually transmitted infections on campus," Singh said. "It’s rewarding to be able to inform students about resources that are available on campus in terms of condoms, testing and information," Singh said.

When the Love Lab is not making the rounds on campus, it is parked in the Health Education and Promotion office in the Cowell Annex, and Paulson encourages students to stop by.