African Americans make up 13 percent of the nation's population but account for more than 49 percent of AIDS cases.
District health educator Donald Slakie said AIDS remains a huge threat, especially in the rural South.
"We also know that Georgia has the third largest proportion of HIV in African Americans in the United States," Slakie said.
Slakie added that more than 50 percent of the Georgia cases were among African Americans and 70 percent of those were among women.
Ishah Mack and Likeevia Cox said they wanted to send a message to fellow students and the community about safeguarding against the deadly disease.
"It's good to know your status," Cox said. "Without knowing anything could happen."
Cox said she wants friends to know the quick oral test is easy; taking it could save lives.
"A lot of them don't know about their status," the 19-year-old GSC freshman added. "I thought if a friend and I would come and show them how easy it was to do, maybe they would think to do the same."
Mack, a 20-year-old sophomore, said the test was simple, quick and painless.
"It was like you had a sucker in your mouth", she said. "It tastes kind of salty and that's about it."
GSC International Services Coordinator Tashiana Cheeks said this was the first time students volunteered for the Health Department test.
"They said they would be willing to do it because it is for a good cause," Cheeks said. "HIV and AIDS can affect all different ages."
Likeevia Cox takes HIV/AIDS oral test
Isha Mack volunteers for AIDS test
http://accesswdun.com/article/2008/2/206673