Healthcare Services
HIV/STI Prevention Services & Treatments in Houston, TX
Within the last decade, St. Hope has implemented effective prevention programs that have worked simultaneously on many levels in the Houston area, from individual levels, social network and community levels, and at the societal structure level.
Our goal has been two prong by targeting both HIV/STI high risk individuals along with those already diagnosed with HIV/STI in support of a continuum of HIV prevention and treatment. Evidenced based interventions employed by the prevention team have consisted of but is not limited to: Many Men, Many Voices (3MV), SISTA, D’UP, and Voices/VOCES.
Routine counseling and testing for a sexually transmitted infection (STI) and HIV is offered in both the clinical and non-traditional settings. St. Hope’s goal is to empower every individual within the community to get tested routinely and get linked to care and treatment immediately. St. Hope prevention team provide a full array of existing services and interventions to adopt and maintain risk reduction behaviors.
St. Hope’s QUEST team conducts large community testing initiatives for the Hip Hop for HIV Testing campaign, and the BET College Tour Rap-It-Up campaign, with the ability of testing more than 1,000 individuals for one event. Historically, St. Hope has averaged a positivity rate above national averages, due to its capacity to establish a true connection with communities of color.
Health Awareness Testing
As a nonprofit health care center, St. Hope offers an array of routine sexual health screenings for free or at a very low cost to individuals depending on eligibility. We offer sexual health screenings through rapid testing processes along with the capability to medically treat you. Here are some of the routine health screenings we offer:
- HIV Screening
- Syphilis Screening
- Chlamydia Screening
- Gonorrhea Screening
- Hepatitis C Screening
HIV tests are used to detect the presence of the human immunodeficiency virus. Tests used for the diagnosis of HIV infection in a particular person require a high degree of both sensitivity and specificity. If antibodies are detected by an initial test based on the ELISA method, then a second test using the Western blot procedure determines the size of the antigens in the test kit binding to the antibodies. The combination of these two methods is highly accurate.
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the spirochetal bacteria. The primary route of transmission of syphilis is through sexual contact; however it may also be transmitted from mother to fetus during pregnancy, or at birth. Diagnosis is usually via blood tests.
Several of the above sexual health screenings are performed with the latest technology in rapidly diagnosing clients. HIV Screenings usually yield results within 15 minutes.
You must make an appointment to receive results. We understand the importance of your privacy; therefore, results are highly confidential and will not be given over the phone.
