AS part of its World AIDS day activities, the St James Health Department will today stage a men’s health expo at the Civic Centre in Montego Bay.

The expo, which is scheduled to run from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm was organised in accordance with the theme of this year’s World AIDS Day, “Men and AIDS: I care… do you?”

Penny Campbell, programme officer for the St James HIV/STI Prevention and Control German Technical Corporation (GTC) project with the health department, said men’s health often receives inadequate attention all round.

“In most settings, they are less likely to seek medical care than women… and are more likely to engage in behaviour that puts their health at risk,” Campbell said.

“They continue to represent the majority of people living worldwide with HIV/AIDS. And a man with HIV is more likely to infect more people over a lifetime than women because of physiognomy.”

The expo will offer free HIV/AIDS testing along with pre- and post-test counselling. Free testing for syphilis, blood pressure and sugar testing will also be offered.

In addition, representatives from a wide cross-section of organisations will set up information booths and will be available to answer queries the public may have.

These organisations include the Red Cross Society, the Jamaica AIDS Support and the Wound Care Centre along with producers of the Durex and Rough Rider condoms. Representatives of the St James police’s narcotics division and the fire department will also be present.

The day’s other activities include a motorcade, featuring peer counsellors who will hand out flyers on HIV/AIDS prevention. The motorcade will leave the Montego Bay post office, number 1 at noon going through to Catherine Hall, West Green, West Gate, Mount Salem and King Street to end at Sam Sharpe Square.

At 3:00 pm, students from schools across the parish will leave the clock tower to parade their banners in observance of World AIDS Day. And at 4:00 pm there will be a concert and mass rally at Sam Sharpe Square. It will feature performances from popular deejay Papa San and Lieutenant Elmo. It will see the participation of Dr Sidney McGill, co-host of Irie FM’s “Sex Wise” along with local personalities like mayor, Hugh Solomon and attorney, Gordon Brown.

Campbell told the Observer that HIV/AIDS was a serious problem for the parish and urged community members to turn out to the day’s events.

“For St James, HIV/AIDS is a very serious problem. Our most productive age group is being affected. And we have to think about the impact that will have in St James… the social consequences, the economic consequences. It is the second leading cause of death in the 30 to 34 age group for both men and women,” Campbell said.