Free STD Testing in East Leon, FL

The population of East Leone according to a 2007 research was more than 31, 000. The population of the city has been growing steadily from then and according to a 2016 estimate the population of the is more than 35,000 people. With the influx of people in the city, STD infection has been growing exponentially. The total rate of Chlamydia, Gonorrhea and Syphilis infection in Leon county is 1360.2 per 100, 000 people. This is the all time highest rate of STDs ever in Leon county according to a 2015 health report.

According to a 2015 report, Leon county was ranked 1st in Chlamydia and Gonorrhea infections in the state. Chlamydia is the most prevalent STD in Leon with a staggering 903 reported cases per 100, 000 people. The rates of Chlamydia in Leon county was slightly higher than the state’s rate of infection. The most affected age is between 14-29 years.  Females accounted for 70% of the total number of infections. In terms of race, the Black Americans rate of infection was seven time more than the other races. The rates of Chlamydia infection in 2009 and 2010 according to races per 100, 000 population were:

Gonorrhea is the second most prevalent STD in East Leon. With the Black americans topping the list of infections, men who have sex with other men are the most infected by Gonorrhea. The prime age between 15-29 years accounts for a total of 80% of the total Gonorrhea infections. The Black Americans have a great magnitude over the other races. According to a 2010 research the rate of Gonorrhea amongst the Black race was seventeen times greater than the other races. The rates in 2009 and 2010 according to races per 100,000 population were:

With more than 47% of middle and high schools students admitting to having had more than one sex experiences, the health community in Leon county has been committed to look into ways of enlightening the youth and the general population on sexuality. This has been done through the introduction of sexual education in their curriculums and in the society.

Since the 1990s, all middle and high schools were allowed to teach abstinence only. This means that they have to abstain from sex till marriage. This was in attempt to counter the then escalating HIV/AIDS cases. Together with being taught the basics of HIV/AIDs, students have been taught to abstain from sex without elaborating further on aspects of sexuality or without even understanding their bodies.

With the escalating STD infection within East Leon city and the county in general, some parents along with school boards and stakeholders are hard fighting for the introduction of comprehensive sexual education also known as Abstinence plus. Though not fully adopted in most schools and with some religions fighting its implementation in schools claiming to be age inappropriate, many locals see it as the only hope for the youth to be able to make informed sex decisions. Women’s bodies and other organizations are also backing d=for the introduction of abstinence plus in schools which entails:

• Learning about the body development changes
• Correct use of prevention materials and contraception methods.
• Teaching about refusal ways for sex adventures.
• Attributes of a healthy relationship

Along with the above, there are proposals for the sexual classes to be gender divided. This means females will be taught separately from males.

University and college students have also staged exhibitions and outreach programs to the society to help sensitize them on the need for using protection during sex. They also enlighten the locals on different contraception methods to avoid unwanted pregnancies.

Non governmental bodies and organizations are also pushing for the legalisation of comprehensive sexual education in schools within Leon county. Various bills have been presented for discussion and await the nod of the house to be laws. These laws are bound to allow for parents to opt out their children in the instances where a parent feels their kids are not age appropriate for abstinence plus.

With the rate of STD infection in East Leon escalating at an alarming rate, demographics has played a big part in the trend. The city has a rich population mix. With more than 24.5% of the total population being the Black Americans, while the same race being the most hard hit by STDs, the fight against STDs has been a challenge for the society.  In Addition, there are more than 6 types of races within the city. These races have different practices and values. These values and norms differ in almost all aspects and most notably sex issues and ways of preventing STDs. With some necessitating the spread of STDs, most locals find themselves extremely vulnerable to STD infection. The races ratio is as below:

• White 67.7%
• Black 25.4%
• Hispanic 3.7%
• Asian 1.7%
• Others 1.54%

The religion breakdown of the population also greatly contributes to the increase in STD infection within Leon county. With more than 5 religions in the city, followers have different mentalities and beliefs on sexual matters. This affects individuals way of handling themselves and refusal or relation aspects. Some of the religions allow for extra sexual interactions while others create conducive platforms for sharing sex matters. These aspects affects individuals differently and have a greater influence in STD spread within the city.

Unemployment rate within the city according to a 2015 report was more than 5%. This can result in distress, usually within the prime age of 14-29 years. Considering that this is the age which has been greatly affected by STDs, the stress of unemployment often drags them into drug abuse. When high most people lack control over themselves and mostly in sex matters. This has greatly contributed to the increase in STD infection within the city.

Poverty level within the city is higher than the national average. With a staggering 6.1% of the population living below the average poverty level the ability to cater for their regular health check up is limited.   This leaves them vulnerable to STDS as they live by faith without going for testing. Though the above demographic factors facilitate the increase of STDs within East Leon, outreach programs have greatly enlightened the locals on the need for testing and have empowered them with sexual education to help them make informed sex decisions.

With the rates of STD infection in East leon city growing so rapidly, the State’s Health department along with the County Health department have joined hands in the fight against STDS. Their main point of action is increasing the ease of access of health facilities within the city. All public and private health facilities along with Parenthood centers and Urgent cares within Leon county have been improved to handle the growing population.

Capital Regional medical Center is one of the main Public health facilities within the city. It offers both walk-in and appointment basis services. HIV/AIDS testing is done freely while the other STDS tests are done at a subsidized cost. Boasting a staff of experienced and specialized experts in different STDS, the facility offers medically accurate, private and confidential STD testing services. They also offer family and individual STD therapies depending on client’s preference. Capital City Surgical Center is another public health facility within East Leon. It handles appointment basis services which are accurate and confidential. They have specialized therapists for counselling and educating their clients on STD prevention measures along with contraception methods. They offer referral upon client’s request. Their services are time conscious and done by qualified staff.

Westminster Oaks is a private health facility within the city. It offers only appointment basis services which are monitored for quality purposes. They have high standards of client handling techniques and make you feel that you belong. They offer medically accurate STD testing, treatment and management. Their services are quality guaranteed and confidential. They also offer family and individual STD therapies.  Heritage Health care Center is another health facility within East Leon. Serving clients from all over the country, the health facility is renown for its quality services. They offer time conscious and confidential STD testing services. Their services are appointment basis and have great client handling skills. You won’t regret undergoing STD check up with heritage.

CareSpot Urgent Care is one of the best urgent care centers within East Leon. The facility offers emergency walk in basis STD services. Equipped with a specialized personnel in different STDS, the facility offers medically accurate, private and confidential STD testing services. With enough staff the health facility can accommodate a bunch of patients at once. With a track record of quality services they offer time conscious STD testing services. After Hours Pediatrics Urgent Care is another urgent care within East Leon. They offer walk in basis STD testing and treatment services. Boasting a qualified and specialized staff on all STDS they deliver on their promises for better healthcare.

Sally Bellamy Parenthood center is one of the parenthood Centers within East Leon. The facility offers appointment basis STD testing, treatment and management. Their STD testing are medically accurate and confidential with an option for a family STD therapy on request. Their services are affordable and you don’t have to be insured to visit them. However they also accept all types of insurance covers. Open Door Women’s Clinic Parenthood Center is another parenthood center within East Leon. It offers both STD testing and treatment and contraception methods education. This is an appointment basis health facility that offers accurate STD diagnosis which are private and confidential. They also have a family STD therapy according to client’s preference. All the above facilities dispense condoms for preventing STDS both in relationships and amongst couples.

The East leon city is one of the fastest growing cities in Florida. Located within Leon county and experiencing a rapid increase in STDs over the last decade, the city’s health community is working tirelessly to fight the spread of STDs. With the abstinence only policy being ineffective in the fight against STDS, organisations along with the health community are gradually introducing the abstinence plus policy in schools. Equipping the youth with the right sex education will help them make the right sex decisions.

Along with the introduction of comprehensive sexual education in middle and high schools, outreach programs across the city have been organized to help educate the locals on the need for STD prevention and contraception methods. Health facilities within the city have also been improved to help handle as many residents as possible. Fighting the STD infection with every tool available will reduce the rates of STD infection in East Leon.