Note: This site contains prevention messages that deal with HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The material presented here may be considered offensive to some people. However it is necessary to understand disease and how disease is transmitted. Since STIs are spread primarily through sexual practices or by sharing needles, prevention messages and programs presented here will address these topics. If you are not seeking such information kindly return to the homepage.
About HIV and STI Counseling
The focus and strategies of our HIV and Sexually Transmitted Disease and Infection prevention efforts continue to change in response to shifting needs of our community. Simply stated, the goal of this program is to reduce the spread of HIV and STD/STI in Cowley County. To accomplish this goal, the health department HIV/STI program contracts with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to implement front line HIV/STI prevention and risk reduction interventions (e.g., testing, counseling, and education). These interventions target populations experiencing the highest number and rates of infection, and are designed to be age/gender appropriate, linguistically specific, and culturally sensitive.
Interventions are organized around:
The KDHE oversees the activities and evaluates the effectiveness of each HIV prevention contractors in the State of Kansas.
The primary goal of our program is to provide HIV/STI prevention counseling, testing, referral, and partner notification services for any Kansan who may be STI or HIV-infected and/or engaging in behaviors that cause them to be at risk for contracting STI’s or HIV. In the State of Kansas, the law requires the availability of anonymous (no name/personal identifiers) testing throughout the state. Following this charge, KDHE has made available anonymous testing at counseling and testing sites that send specimens to the State Lab.
Should you get tested for HIV?
The following are behaviors that increase your chances of getting HIV. If you answer yes to any of them, you should definitely get an HIV test. If you continue with any of these behaviors, you should be tested every year. Talk to a health care provider about an HIV testing schedule that is right for you.