Free STD Testing in West Memphis, AR

When ranked among the worst states to live regarding STI’s and HIV/AIDS, Arkansas ranked 6th. In 2014, 35 cases of Syphilis were reported in the northeastern portion of the state where West Memphis is located. This was the lowest amount reported when compared to other sections of the state.

2013 reports show that there were 134.2 Gonorrhea cases reported. This was an 11.5% decrease from 2009. From 2009 to 2013 the number of cases were consistently higher in women than they were in men. Then, in 2013, the numbers switched and men were ranked higher than women.

The state ranks 8th in the nation for Chlamydia cases. There are 545 cases per 100,000 persons. Cases among women are 2.9 times higher than among men. The greatest age demographic impacted are those aged 20-24.

In 2012 the HIV / AIDS prevalence in Crittenden county 230 individuals per 100,000 people. The greatest gender demographic impacted were males (28.6%). The age demographic most impacted were those between 25 and 34 years old. Black, non-Hispanics make up over half of those infected with HIV/AIDS.

STI’s are a major health concern for the CDC in Arkansas. The CDC recommends HIV testing for patients aged 13 to 64 years of age. They recommend that this should be a part of routine medical care. When asked, only 59% of those asked reported using safe sex practices such as the use of condoms.

Arkansas does not require sexual health education. Boards at the school district level decide whether to teach sexual education. If they do decide to teach it, abstinence is required to be taught as the preferred method of prevention. Contraceptives may be discussed, but it is not required that teachers do so. There are also no Safe School Laws in effect.

Several organizations including the Arkansas Citizens First Congress are calling for better sexual health education. While many groups are advocating for this due to teen pregnancy instead of the HIV/AIDS crisis, the belief is that it will also educate about how to prevent STI’s. The hope is that through more up to date education that encourages the use of contraceptives and how to prevent, treat and identify the symptoms of HIV/AIDS and STI’s there will a decrease in the cases reported.

The National Coalition to Support Sexuality Education has over 140 organizations that are committed to creating and advocating accurate, age-appropriate education pertaining to sexual activity. Its member includes medical and religious professionals, policy organizers and legal and political figures. Their goal is to provide a network of advocates to support sexual health awareness.

The closest Planned Parenthood is in Memphis at the Memphis Health Center. They provide free condoms and other forms of contraceptive. They also provide literature on good sexual health.

There could possibly be a correlation between the fact that women are the gender demographic most impacted by STI’s and the fact that they are the greatest gender demographic living below the poverty level. In 2015, women ranked higher in the number of STI cases reported and were 5 times poorer than males. Women also made 1.22 times less than males. Black, non-Hispanic women were less likely to receive preventative health services than white, non-Hispanic women. In the same year, there were 144 Black, non-Hispanic women who reported having preventative health services in comparison to 284 White, non-Hispanic women.

There could also possibly be a correlation between the fact that Black, non-Hispanics were the ethnic demographic most impacted by STI’s and the fact that they are the poorest ethnic demographic. In 2015, Black, non-Hispanics were over five times poorer than the following ethnic demographic, which was White, non-Hispanics. There were 6,591 Black, non-Hispanics reported as living in poverty in comparison to 1,008 White, non-Hispanics living in poverty. Black, non-Hispanics were also paid less than Asians or White, non-Hispanics. In the same year, Black, non-Hispanics made roughly $27,339 in comparison to Asians making $49,000.

There does not seem to be a correlation between the fact that Black, non-Hispanics were the ethnic group most impacted by STI’s and the number of Black, non-Hispanics who graduated from a college. Black, non-Hispanics were the ethnic demographic with the most numbers of graduates in 2015. This was in comparison 177 White, non-Hispanic graduates and 12 Hispanic or Latino graduates. There also does not seem to be a correlation between the number of female to male graduates and fact that females are the poorest gender demographic. While women were the poorest gender demographic, the graduation rate for females was 0.63 times higher than males.

There are many locations near West Memphis, Arkansas that offer STI testing. It is generally recommended that you call ahead to confirm whether you will be required to make an appointment. However, many places offer walk in assistance. When you call you can also verify that they offer the test you require. For example, some clinics may test for HIV but not Gonorrhea. Most clinics also take mainstream insurance plans, but it is recommended you confirm they take yours as well.

The closest Planned Parenthood is in Memphis which is about a 22-minute drive. This Planned Parenthood accept many mainstream insurances. They offer testing for HIV and STI’s including a rapid HIV saliva test that has results in 20-40 minutes.

Aside from Planned Parenthood, there are several other locations that provide STI testing resources as well. Craighead County Health Unit has a STI Clinic located in Jonesboro. They offer testing for Chlamydia, HIV. Gonorrhea and Syphilis. For treatments, they offer the Hepatitis B vaccine, the Hepatitis A vaccine, and the HPV vaccine. They also offer counseling and safer sex education. They are about an hour away. They accept both walk-ins and appointments. Both insurances and Medicaid are accepted.

There is also the Northeast Arkansas Regional AIDS Network. They offer free AIDS testing and Rapid HIV oral testing. They require appointments. They are located about fifty minutes away.

There is the Arkansas Department of Health Crittenden County of Health which is located about 4 miles away. They offer conventional HIV blood testing, rapid HIV oral testing, Chlamydia testing, syphilis testing, gonorrhea testing, and herpes testing. HPV vaccines are available for VCF-eligible patients only.

West Memphis, Arkansas provides adequate resources, testing, and treatment for the population it has. There has been an increase in STI’s, and this could possibly come from the lack of education within the academic setting. While there is no Planned Parenthood within the city limits of West Memphis, there is a center in nearby Memphis and has several nearby clinics where testing and treatment is provided. Demographics and statistics suggest that African Americans females 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. Regardless of the statistics, the best way to prevent STI’s is to either remain abstinent or practice safe sex with your partner. Jonesboro also provides resources that help educate about STI’s. One of which is: std-clinics.healthgrove.com/l/265/Northeast-Public-Health-Region-Crittenden-County-Health-Unit-West-Memphis   As always, if you believe you have contracted an STI, please search out a testing center and seek treatment.