Preferred Location: Change location
Preferred Location: Change location
On a list of the most sexually diseased cities in the US, Dothan ranks as #75. In general, Alabama has some of the highest STD rates in the country. But they’re working to reduce those rates through programs that include free STD testing and expedited partner treatment.
Health officials stress that all sexually active people should use protection every time and get tested often, even if they are not experiencing symptoms. Most STIs are asymptomatic in the early stages but go on to do irreversible damage to the body.
In 2016, Houston County had an HIV prevalence rate of 366.5 per 100K people, above Alabama’s rate of 309.9.
That same year, the county had a chlamydia rate of 158.4 per 100K people, which is much lower than Alabama’s rate of 553.6 (health officials credit the county’s awareness campaigns). Houston County’s gonorrhea and (primary and secondary) syphilis rates were 66.2 and 3.8.
There is STD testing available at AFC Urgent Care on Murphy Mill Rd. There is free HIV testing available at a local nonprofit and free STD testing at the county level.
Keep in mind that public clinics tend to have long wait times, and someone may see you waiting. If this bothers you, you may want to explore other options. The Women’s Medical Center at Ross Clark Cir also does STI testing and treatment.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention1 (CDC) recommends screening for the most common STDs, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, syphilis, herpes 1, herpes 2, and HIV for both men and women. In addition, the CDC suggests women get screened for trichomoniasis.
SaferSTD recommends searching for locations that offer a 10-test panel which tests for the most common bacteria and viral STDs in the U.S. with additional premium add-ons like early HIV detection, if needed.
The CDC2Â provides detailed STD testing information as to when you should get tested. In summary, you should get tested today if you are sexually active, never been tested before, have had unprotected sex in the past, or if you exhibit symptoms.Â
According to the World Health Organization3, the majority of STI cases reported every day, more than one million, are asymptomatic; another reason to get tested today.
You should get tested again in 90 days to rule out STDs that have specific exposure waiting times, including HIV.
STD testing can be a quick and simple process, depending on the type of test you choose and where you get tested. Some may require an oral or genital swab, a urine test or blood sample, or a physical exam to check your genital area for signs of an STD.
SaferSTD has identified preferred providers that require only a urine test, a blood sample, or both without a physical exam.
The speed at which you receive your STD testing results depends on where you get tested. Before you choose your location, find out how long testing results will take.Â
At-home STD testing results are usually 3-5 business days, depending on the manufacturer of your test. You also need to take into account the amount of time it takes to receive the test or pick one up, perform the test, and ship it back, before the lab can analyze your results and report back to you.Â
If you test at a public facility such as a neighborhood clinic, you may have to wait a week, if not more for the results, which could delay treatment. If you test through a private facility, they have the fastest turnaround within 1-3 business days.Â
SaferSTD has researched and identified the most accredited and most reputable testing locations. Click here to find a preferred location near you.
Some STD testing clinics offer same-day walk-in options without an appointment. Below are nearby preferred locations that offer this option.
The cost of STD testing depends on whether you select private, public, or at-home testing, as well as the type of test(s) you need.
Several at-home STD options and public testing locations can cost up to $250, with most on the higher end, depending on the brand and type of testing. Public testing fees also vary based on income and welfare eligibility.Â
With private testing, you may save money on a low-cost comprehensive 10-test panel that tests for the most common bacterial and viral STDs in the United States.Â
SaferSTD has researched and identified reputable locations that offer upfront pricing without hidden fees. Click here to find a preferred location near you.
Order a home-test kit onlineThe test takes just 5 minutes and then mail in your sampleReceive your lab results in 2 to 5 daysFDA approved technologyEnjoy free shipping
Formerly known as Medical AIDS Outreach and Montgomery AIDS Outreach, Medical Advocacy and Outreach is an organization that aims to provide comprehensive primary and specialty care to everyone infected or affected by HIV. The medical team is skilled in testing and treating HIV and Hepatitis C, and they offer the 20-minute oral swab and 60-second blood HIV tests.
Women’s Medical Center is a health center that offers obstetric and gynecologic services to female residents residing in Dothan, AL, and the surrounding regions. Some medical services the physicians specialize in include prenatal care, birth control, infertility treatment, and minimally invasive surgeries. Additionally, part of women’s routine gynecologic care includes STD testing and treatment services.
Women’s Healthcare of Dothan is an ObGyn clinic serving women in the wiregrass region by offering obstetrics and gynecologic care. The clinic has doctors on its medical team who are competent in offering services such as pelvic exams, colposcopies, osteoporosis, and pelvic reconstructive surgery. They also offer menopause evaluation, tubal ligation, and STD testing and treatment services.
Tallahassee Health Center is a Planned Parenthood clinic that offers comprehensive and quality medical care to its clients. It has nurses, doctors, and physician assistants who are proficient in managing infectious diseases, including STDs. The personnel offers rapid HIV tests and avail the results in about10 to 40 minutes.
The Houston County Health Department is the local health department that serves all Houston residents, and it aims to provide equitable medical services. It offers a range of clinical services, from family planning, immunizations, and WIC to cancer screening and HIV/STD counseling and testing services. Experienced doctors and nurses are part of the medical team available at the health center.
The first AFC clinic was opened in 1982 to offer primary care and urgent care services without delay. The Dothan clinic is a constituent of the American Family Care network, and it has physicians who are well-trained in offering quality medical services, including STD testing and treatment as well as treatment of flu, burns, and fractures.
These location types are best for: Privacy and convenience
Accredited and Certified
Description: Order online and receive a doctor's order to visit this lab to get tested in as little as 15 mins. Get your results privately within 1-2 business days and speak with a doctor over the phone if your test results come back positive. Doctors may prescribe treatment or refer you to a specialist if needed.
These location types are best for: Privacy and convenience
Accredited and Certified
Description: Getting an STD test at a clinic near you has never been easier. When you choose this location, you can get a doctor's requisition to get tested in as little as 15 minutes. Following your test, you receive your results privately within 2 business days, and can speak to a doctor over the phone with confidence, should results come back as positive.
These location types are best for: Privacy and convenience
Accredited and Certified
Description: Why go to a public clinic? Get convenient and fast STD testing that is 100% confidential. Individual tests under $50. Order online and visit this lab the same day for a quick 15 min test. Get your results online within 1-2 business days, and view them privately. Doctor consultation available over the phone, should results come back as positive.
These location types are best for: Privacy and convenience
Accredited and Certified
Description: Get Fast, Easy and Affordable testing at this location. Results come back within 2 business days and be in and out of the lab in less then 20 minutes.
Show only locations where privacy and discretion is taken into importance.
Show only locations where privacy and discretion is taken into importance.
Description: Public Health Department/Social Services Department. STD Clinic times are subject to change due to training. Always call (334) 678-2800 on Thursday to see if afternoon services are offered. Free condoms available.
Description: AIDS Service Organization.
Description: New patients need to register.
Show only locations where you can easily book your test online.
Show only locations where you can easily book your test online.
Description: New patients need to register. Closed daily from 12noon-1pm
Description: New patients need to register.
Description: Public Health Department/Social Services Department. Call for HIV testing schedule
Show only locations where they offer the HIV RNA Early Detection Test for people who think they may have been recently exposed to the HIV virus.
Show only locations where they offer the HIV RNA Early Detection Test for people who think they may have been recently exposed to the HIV virus.
Description: New patients need to register.
Description: Public Health Department/Social Services Department.
Description: Public Health Department/Social Services Department. Free condoms available upon request.
Description: Public Health Department/Social Services Department. Some service hours may vary
Description: Public Health Department/Social Services Department.
Description: Public Health Department/Social Services Department. Anyone may come to the health department for HIV testing. There is a fee for HIV/STD testing. Testing by appointment. Free rapid HIV testing 1st and 3rd Wed., 8am-11am and 12noon-3:30pm
Description: New patients need to register. Closed daily from 12noon-1pm
Description: Public Health Department/Social Services Department. Some service hours may vary
Description: Public Health Department/Social Services Department. Closed from 12noon-1pm
Description: Public Health Department/Social Services Department. Testing for Hepatitis A, B, and C available only for clients meeting specific criteria. HIV testing done together with other STD tests, sliding scale fee applies.
Everyone who requires HIV testing receives free and confidential services.
The medical team on board offers Spanish - English interpretation services. Every client who needs HIV testing services may walk-in at any time, but Hepatitis services are on an appointment basis. As an added convenience, the clinic opens for extended evening hours every Thursday. Moreover, MAO clients infected with HIV receive various support services, including nutrition and dental services.
1865 Honeysuckle Rd #3, Dothan, AL 36301, USA
The facility accepts most insurance health plans, and if you need to pay co-pays for services rendered, you ought to do that at the time of service provision. Also, its medical team doesn’t discriminate against race, age, nationality, or disability.
The clinic has a medical call line for its clients to reach out to their physicians whenever they need health services. Additionally, you may visit the facility to schedule an appointment to receive STD services at a convenient time. Moreover, you may access your test records online via the patient portal.
1118 Ross Clark Cir Suite 600, Dothan, AL 36301, USA
The health center has multiple self-pay options that uninsured persons may use for payment for services, and it also accepts some insurance health plans.
The clinic’s services are accessible online and clients who need to schedule doctor appointments may do so via the patient’s portal. Additionally, the doctors serve with confidentiality and compassion. Also, the clinic has state-of-the-art equipment that facilitates precise diagnostic services.
4300 W Main St #31, Dothan, AL 36305, USA
Uninsured clients aged 19 and above may receive free HPV vaccinations. Additionally, every uninsured client qualifies to receive STD services based on a sliding scale fee, and they may also benefit from a state-funded program. Also, the clinic accepts various insurance health plans to pay for services.
The clinic has language translation interpreters, and you may receive such services at no cost. You may book an appointment online or by calling the health center to schedule STD appointments. Some services are available free of charge based on eligibility, but if you don’t qualify, you may receive low-cost services.
2618 W Tennessee St, Tallahassee, FL 32304, USA
You may receive healthcare despite your age, gender, sexual orientation, color, or race. Additionally, all STD services, including testing, counseling, and treatment, are available at no cost to you.
Clinicians work based on scheduled appointments for afternoon hours but accept walk-ins during morning hours, so you’re free to choose the system that suits you. Additionally, you won’t incur any STD costs at the health center since they’re available free of charge. Moreover, the medical team follows a strict confidentiality policy that dictates the STD results to be handled in-person.
1781 E Cottonwood Rd, Dothan, AL 36301, USA
The health center works in conjunction with major insurances, so you may call to check whether your health plan is acceptable. However, uninsured clients may use low-cost self-pay options available.
The clinic is conveniently open daily to accommodate a majority of its clients. Its onsite lab enables the medical team to promptly test and diagnose STDs leading to a short wait-time for the results. Also, you may walk-in to receive STD services during open hours, and at the end of the visit, you may safely pay your bills online.
2445 Murphy Mill Rd, Dothan, AL 36303, USA
As with many educational arenas on the so-called Bible Belt, there is a continuous heated debate as to what is permissible to be taught in the classroom. A new House bill has re-established what curriculum should be allowed. The Bill states that new curriculum should be medically sound and age appropriate.
While the Bill does not require schools to teach sex education, it does require the information they use be up to date. When asked, many students believe that sexual education within the school system falls below standards for other subjects. In many cases the education a student receives is equivalent to a single chapter in a textbook. While most students agree that the information they receive in schools is inadequate, adults are divided. Some agree that it is more than enough, and that parents should be the ones teaching their students about sex. Others believe that there needs to be a more efficient and up to date method of teaching sexual health education within the classroom.
Outside the classroom, there are resources for those wishing to educate themselves. For example, The Southeastern Pediatric Association offers a variety of learning resources on their website, though they offer no physical services at their locations. Their resource library offers information on sexual well-being and information on HIV/AIDS.
The only known location to obtain free condoms in Dothan is at MAO – Medical Advocacy and Outreach. They offer educational information as well as emotional support – specifically for those affected by HIV.
Alabama – 1,235 of which were in Houston County. By 2011 the number had increased by 14% and continues to go up. African American males are the demographic that is most affected by AIDS, followed by African American females, than white males, and finally white females. Of the male cases reported, 65% stated that they contracted the disease by having sex with another man.
The African American community of Dothan makes up the majority of those living in poverty in Dothan. Of those living below the poverty level, 74.9% are women; most often single mothers. It is interesting to note that while females have a higher graduation rate, they make nearly $11,000 less than a male at an average job.
Academic achievement at the Elementary school level has fallen across the board by 4%. However, when broken down by ethnicity, there is no significant difference.  In 2015 there were 2.01 times more White graduates than African American graduates. These statistics would explain possibly why African American females are so greatly affected by STI’s, though it does not explain why African American males are so affected. Another correlation could be that the African American community is less likely to seek out and receive healthcare and therefore less likely to be diagnosed and/or treated for an STI or HIV/AIDS.
One such location is Dr. Christopher Miller who is a doctor that specializes in infectious diseases. He has been practicing for 25 years. Dr. Miller works from a clinic located on Ross Clark Circle. He accepts new patients regularly and will take most major insurances including Aetna and Cigna. The clinic is open Monday-Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Another option would be the Houston County Health Department, which offers STI testing. Located on East Cottonwood Road, their clinic for STIs is open in the mornings on Mondays through Thursdays from 8:00 – 11:00 a.m. It is open on a walk-in basis, while afternoon appointments are possible if made in advance. The clinic is closed on Fridays.
Women’s Health Care of Dothan also provides services for females affected by STIs. They are located on West Main Street. They are open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. They cover all major STIs and HIV.
The nearest Planned Parenthood is in Mobile, which is about a three-hour drive away. They offer STI testing, and STI prevention including condoms. Their service schedule varies and it is recommended that you call in advance. Rapid HIV testing is available and can be done with a blood sample taken from a finger stick. The results are available in 10-40 minutes. Counseling is available is needed. Payment is expected at the time of service and Medicaid and PlanFirst are both accepted.
All South Urgent is in Dothan and is open Monday through Friday from 8:00-6:00 and Saturday from 8:00 – 5:00. They accept walk-ins and will administer tests on site. AFC Urgent Care is opened 7 days a week 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. They are part of the American Family Care network. Finally, there is 1st Med Urgent Care that is also opened seven days a week from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Dothan, though small, provides good resources and testing centers for those affected by HIV and STIs. Â While the Education System continues to struggle with how to present accurate information about sexual health, there are places at which individuals can learn about sexual health care and what to do if they contract an STI or become HIV positive. MAO offers good resources and support for those struggling with STIs. Though the closest Planned Parenthood is a few hours away, it still is also a good source for treatment. Dothan also benefits from having a doctor that specializes in treating STIs. Many different groups, including MAO are working to increase awareness and advocate for those affected by STIs and HIV. Finally, it is encouraged that if you believe you might have an STI, you seek out testing and treatment. Fore more information on treatment and information on STIs place consider the following:
https://www.southeasternpediatrics.com/aap-library.html?aapcat=sexual_health_and_sexuality
Each page below contains a detailed report of the local area, location STD statistics and clinic reviews of some the top STD testing locations. The content is curated by our very own editors and medical experts.
