Free STD Testing Near You in Des Moines, IA

Des Moines is a growing community with plenty of action-packed attraction, like games at Principal Park and concerts at the Iowa Events Center. Iowans can take pride that their reported rates of infection rank well below the national average for commonly reported sexually transmitted diseases like chlamydia, gonorrhea and primary and secondary (P&S) syphilis. According to the CDC’s 2014 National STD Surveillance Report, Iowa was ranked 38th in the nation for chlamydia cases and rates, 42nd for gonorrhea cases and rates and 39th in the country for number of cases and rate of infection.² To keep supporting downward trends and to help decrease diseases on the rise like chlamydia, residents of Des Moines and Iowa should get tested to be assured of their status.

STD testing should be fast, confidential and affordable. Many STDs present without any symptoms, making it even more difficult to be certain of one’ status and that much easier for one partner to unwillingly transmit an infection to another. Working with a service like STDtest.com offers options that work with your schedule, aligned with identical professionalism of care and attention to detail you would receive at your doctor’s office or at a free clinic. For the better sexual health of Des Moines, Iowa and beyond, anyone at risk should reach out for testing as soon as possible.

Des Moines and the associated Polk County area accounts for the highest prevalence of HIV infections in the state of Iowa, with nearly 140 reported in 2014.³ The prevalence of HIV in Des Moines and the Polk County area continues to rise, increasing from a number of total cases of 458 to 489 between 2013 and 2014.⁴ These statistics model trends seen in Iowa overall. The state’s HIV rate continues to steadily increase year over year, with a reported 2,100 infections statewide at the end of 2013.⁵

Other sexually transmitted diseases on the rise in Des Moines and Polk County, Iowa include chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis. The most commonly reported STD, chlamydia, also saw the largest year-over-year increase from 2013 to 2014. In 2014, 2,292 new infections were reported in the area, an increase of 314 from the year before. Gonorrhea and syphilis (P&S, early latent and late latent) saw smaller increases. Gonorrhea infections totaled 394 in 2014 and reported a 7 case increase. 70 cases total were reported of all syphilis, an increase of 3 from the year prior according to surveillance reports published by the Iowa Department of Public Health. With Des Moines county seeing trends starting to stabilize, urging residents at risk to get tested is key to the public health of the area. Spreading the word about getting tested and treated is especially important regarding populations most susceptible to sexually transmitted diseases, for example, women under the age of 25 for chlamydia and men who have sex with men (MSM) in the case of HIV.^6&7

The state of Iowa and the Des Moines Public School district currently support age-appropriate, medically accurate health and family life instruction with an emphasis on healthy relationships, self-esteem development, HIV/AIDS instruction and preventive methods for sexually transmitted diseases, as well as knowledge of the HPV vaccine and other forms of preventive sexual health. The state of Iowa requires this education curriculum for all public school students grades K-12. As with nearly all health and sexual education programs across the country, parents reserve the right to opt students out of lessons regarding these topics.⁸

Iowa state law mandates that instruction of this type is delivered by professionals who have experience in the field or by staff who received the proper training. While the curriculum defined by Iowa Code 279.50 sets forth a guideline for comprehensive sexual education, the final caveat of the law includes an option for schools to adopt abstinence-stress or abstinence-only sexual education curriculum if desired by the local school board.⁸

In Iowa, one of the most negatively impacted groups by sexually transmitted diseases are young adults, age 15-24, accounting for 66.8% of all reported chlamydia cases in 2014.³ Preparing students with the knowledge and risk factors associated with sex and sexually transmitted disease can encourage action, which helps to lower STD rates overall.

Each sexually transmitted disease in the Des Moines and Polk County area affects demographic populations differently, but national trends, such as young females being impacted greatly by chlamydia, are echoed in reports released by the state of Iowa. In 2014,8,277 infections were reported in females compared to 3,355 reported in males. The racial/ethnic group accounting for the highest number of chlamydia cases in the state were white residents, with 7,394 reported infections, out of 11,632. Again, the highest age group at risk continues to be females age 15-24.³

The impact of gonorrhea in Iowa saw 1,626 total infections reported in 2014. Of those reported, females accounted for 52.6% of diagnoses compared to 47.4%. With 794 infections, white Iowa residents reported the highest number of cases, but the highest of rate of infection was witnessed by the African American population, with 585.2 infections per 100,000. Primary and secondary syphilis infections across Iowa saw infection rates most adversely affecting the white population, with 74% of infections.³

Getting tested for this variety and other common sexually transmitted diseases is crucial for keeping STD rates in check all across the country. Taking strides in addressing the National HIV/AIDS strategy means spreading the word to highly-affected communities in an effort to get positive community members tested and treated.

Getting tested for STDs shouldn’t involve any shame or negativity. Let information of your status be a moment of empowerment with an efficient link to care. STDtest.com focuses on STD testing with a patient-focus, from beginning to end. In the comfort of your own home or any preferred location, answer brief questions concerning your sexual history and symptoms to receive a doctor-recommended panel of tests. Next, you’ll select a testing option. You can choose the lab nearest you from a national network of thousands. No appointment is necessary and same-day options are often available. If available in your area, you can can get tested at home, work or another convenient location with In-Home Collection that same day with only an hour’s notice. 

For both optoins, you will be able to access your results usually in three business days or less. After that, a medical team is available to answer any questions you have and even to prescribe treatment, if appropriate and allowed by state law. That’s it. Get tested. It’s for your better health.

References:

1 US Census Bureau Quick Facts – Des Moines City & Polk County, IA
2 CDC 2014 Surveillance Report
3 Iowa Reportable Sexually Transmitted Disease Data 2014
4 HIV Prevalence Rate – Des Moines, IA
5 The Epidemiology of HIV and AIDS in Iowa 2013 End-of-Year Iowa HIV/AIDS Surveillance Update
6 CDC Facts Chlamydia
7 CDC HIV Among Gay and Bisexual Men
8 279.50  Human Growth and Development Instruction
9 National HIV/AIDS Strategy for the United States