Free STD Testing in Oak Creek, WI

Within the state of Wisconsin approximately 259 individuals were diagnosed with HIV in 2015. 40% of those were Black, non-Hispanics and 37% were White, non-Hispanics. Nearly 80% of those individuals were infected because of MSM (men having sex with men). P & S Syphilis was relatively low, while the state ranked 31st among other states in relation to the number of Gonorrhea and Chlamydia cases reported.

In Oak Creek, there were 84 cases of Chlamydia reported, 9 cases of Gonorrhea, and no cases of Syphilis in the year 2016. The rate of increase was extremely small. From 2015 to 2016 the number of Chlamydia cases increased by 9 and the number of Gonorrhea cases increased by 2.

The greatest ethnic demographic impacted in Milwaukee County were Black, non-Hispanics for all STI’s. Within this category, there were 4,718 cases of Chlamydia, 2,278 cases of Gonorrhea, and 75 cases of Syphilis. These cases made up 52% of the cases reported.

Within the county, females reported the most cases of Chlamydia (6,586) and Gonorrhea (1,811) while males had the most cases of Syphilis (131). The greatest age demographic impacted were those aged 20-24 for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea, and those aged 25-29 for Syphilis. The region of the county most impacted was the southeastern portion.

In 2016 there were 94 new cases of HIV reported within the county. Most of these cases were males. 69.9% of the cases were reported were Black, non-Hispanics and 28.7% were from those aged 20-24. 60% were reported as a result of men having sex with men.

In 2012 Wisconsin officials made it a priority to deal with SB 237 – which essentially was a repeal of the state’s sexual education law.  They passed the Healthy Youth Act and SB 92, which was a bill banning the state’s public health insurance exchange covering services pertaining to abortion. SB 237 eliminated a majority of Wisconsin’s current requirements for sexual health education This includes instruction on the health benefits, side effects and effective use of contraceptive methods. Instead, SB 237 would reinstate an abstinence until marriage approach.

Outside of the classroom, the Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin offers a comprehensive sexual health education class through their department. This class, knowns as “Embody,” covers everything from basic sexual hygiene to how to protect against STI’s. The class is provided in both Spanish and English. The class is 8 sessions long and individuals are encouraged to call the nearest Planned Parenthood for more information. The nearest Planned Parenthood for Oak Creek is in Milwaukee to the north. It is about a 24-minute drive. This location also offers free condoms.

Itsyoursexlife.com is an informational website that is produced by Kaiser Permanente in conjunction with MTV. This website offers information on STI’s and HIV / AIDS, condoms and resources for those seeking more information and treatment. Additionally, the website offers a hotline to call in order to get one on one assistance.

There is also Iwannaknow.org, which offers information on a variety of sexual health topics including STI’s. They have a section geared specifically toward STI’s – how to get tested, treated, and how to prevent them. The website encourages educators to use their material to properly educate youth and young adults.

There most likely is a direct correlation between the fact that males are the poorest demographic within Oak Creek, and the fact that they have the highest rate of HIV and Syphilis. While males have a higher average salary than females ($59,890 vs. $55,791), 40% more males aged 25-34 live in poverty as opposed to females of that same age group.

Black, non-Hispanics are the highest ethnic demographic impacted by both HIV and STI’s within Oak Creek. They also are the third lowest paid ethnic demographic, falling behind Asians and White, non-Hispanics. In 2015, Black, non-Hispanics made approximately $15,085 less than the next highest paid ethnic group which were White, non-Hispanics.

Women reported more cases of Gonorrhea and Chlamydia within the county. Black, non-Hispanic females were more like than White, non-Hispanic females to contract an STI. They are also less likely to receive preventative health service. In 2015, only 957 Black, non-Hispanic women received treatment in comparison to 4,510 White, non-Hispanic women.

Black, non-Hispanics also have a lower graduation rate when compared to the White, non-Hispanic graduation rate. In 2015, there were 15,477 White, non-Hispanic graduates and only 2,139 Black, non-Hispanic graduates. Additionally, males are less likely to receive a college degree when compared to females. In 2015, there were 13,336 female graduates and only 8,644 male graduates. Both these facts could correlate with the fact that males are the highest gender demographic to be impacted by HIV and Syphilis and Black, non-Hispanics are the ethnic demographic most like to become infected.

The ARWC (AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin) is in Milwaukee – about a 24-minute drive from Oak Creek. This center has exhaustive resources for those dealing with AIDS and those wishing to know how to prevent contacting it. They have a medical clinic, dental clinic, social services office, pharmacy, and testing center. Hours and days vary based about which section the individual wishes to visit.

The Brady East STD Clinic (BESTD) is celebrating its 40th year of service to the community. It is approximately a 27-minute drive from Oak Creek. Located in the city of Milwaukee, the clinic’s hours vary, but tend to stay open until 8:00 pm to accommodate those who work. Texting for both STI’s and HIV is available as well as counseling.

Any Lab Test Now is located nearby in Franklin, Wisconsin. It is about a 7-minute drive northwest of Oak Creek. This location offers all-inclusive testing for STI’s and HIV. They are usually open from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm and closed on the weekends. Specimens are sent away and then the results are reported back to the site where the tests were performed. If the individual wishes to know their results, they may request a phone call.

There is a Planned Parenthood located in Racine, which is about 11 miles away. Individuals are encouraged to make an appointment online, since their  hours vary during the week. They are closed on Tuesdays, and also on Saturdays and Sundays. This Planned Parenthood accepts a wide variety of insurances- all of which are listed on their website. They speak Spanish and English within the office and can translate in other languages over the phone.

This Planned Parenthood tests for Gonorrhea and Chlamydia using urine samples. Most of their STI tests also require a genital exam. Rapid HIV testing can be done by swabbing the inside of the patient’s mouth and with results in as little as 20 minutes. They offer counseling for those whose tests come back positive.

Oak Creek seems to provide adequate resources, testing, and treatment for the population it has. STI’s have not increased as much as they have in other areas of the county. Educational curriculum supports and advocates abstinence, while also promoting being smart when becoming sexually active. While there is no Planned Parenthood within the city limits of Oak Creek, there is a center in nearby Milwaukee, and Oak Creek has local clinics where testing and treatment is provided. Demographics and statistics suggest that African Americans are most likely to contract an STI. It could be argued that this is a result of the percentage of white students that graduate as opposed to students of other ethnicities. Additionally, men are at a higher risk for Syphilis and HIV and are the poorest gender demographic. Regardless of the statistics, the best way to prevent STI’s is to either remain abstinent or practice safe sex with your partner. Oak Creek also provides several online resources that help educate about STI’s. One of which is:DHS.WISCONSIN/GOV. As always, if you believe you have contracted an STI, please search out a testing center and seek treatment.