At a glance
Jurisdictions are leaning into targeted STI prevention and treatment strategies by focusing on the needs and interests of local communities and delivering partnerships invested in meeting people where they are.
February 2023
Test easy, rest easy. The North Dakota Health & Human Service (NDHHS) HIV, STI, TB & Viral Hepatitis Unit implemented an at-home sexually transmitted infection (STI) sample collection program in January 2022 to help North Dakotans know their STI status easily and privately, for free. The program seeks to reach the 30 percent of state residents who live more than 20 miles away from a clinic that provides comprehensive sexual health care. It also aims to bring awareness of, and access to, HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), and ultimately reduce the number of STIs in the state. Individuals complete a sexual health evaluation to determine which of five different STI kits is best for them. After a medical provider reviews the evaluation, a kit is shipped to the requested address. Next, the individual visits their online portal to activate the kit, proceeds with self-collection, places the completed kit in a postage-prepaid box, and drops it off at the nearest collection box. Test results arrive in about six days, and if treatment or confirmatory testing is needed, North Dakota Disease Intervention Specialists connect the person to services. The program provides educational materials to all test recipients and offers an introduction to HIV PrEP services. If interested in beginning HIV PrEP, North Dakotans from all corners of the state can meet with a NDHHS-partnered medical provider via a telehealth platform.