The Universidad Europea del Atlántico (European University of the Atlantic, UNEATLANTICO) has joined the European Testing Week, in collaboration with the Asociación Ciudadana Anti-Sida (Citizens’ Anti-AIDS Association, ACCAS), to raise awareness on the importance of this test. The University provided the Association with a room for the tests in a collaborationwith the University’s Oficina de Cooperación y Acción Social (Office of Cooperation and Social Action, OCAS).
This day of awareness, which began on November 20, brought an information table with preventive material to the UNEATLANTICO campus. Additionally, interested students had the opportunity to take a free and confidential HIV rapid test.
The tenth edition of the European Testing Week has already been held this year. This important week seeks to raise awareness among young people about the disease and ways to prevent or cope with it. In this sense, this European campaign encourages other organizations to join the initiative to inform about the benefits of early diagnosis of HIV infections.
The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) affects the immune system, weakening the defense system against infections and certain types of cancer. As the virus destroys immune cells and prevents the normal functioning of immunity, those affected gradually fall into a situation of immunodeficiency.
HIV remains one of the world’s major health problems. According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), 630,000 people died of HIV-related causes in 2022 and 1.3 million contracted the virus. WHO promotes a series of actions, along the same lines as those offered by the European Testing Week, such as the use of male and female condoms as well as testing for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
On the other hand, ACCAS offers comprehensive care to the problem of HIV/AIDS, assistance, integration, support, information, education, prevention, and advocacy for people living with HIV, vulnerable people, and the population in general; this is done through accessible services or programs, quality, and constantly evolving and promoting participation and social justice.