Convenient, Noninvasive STD Testing Now Available at PPIN in Marion County
Planned Parenthood of Indiana is now offering urine testing for gonorrhea and chlamydia – a convenient and noninvasive approach - at all of its family planning health centers in Marion County.
The Indiana State Department of Health reported that in 2008, there were more than 21,000 Hoosiers living with chlamydia and nearly 8,500 Hoosiers living with gonorrhea. While these numbers are alarming, there are even more cases that have gone undiagnosed. In fact, one in two sexually-active adults will have a sexually transmitted disease by the time they are 25.
The move to offer the new testing option is an extension of PPIN's dedication to providing the most up-to-date services and information to Hoosiers.
"We want to encourage everyone who is sexually active to get tested, receive treatment if needed and take steps to avoid passing along any STD," said PPIN President and CEO Betty Cockrum. "We hope that by bringing these noninvasive tests to Marion County, patients will have less fear and get tested," said Cockrum.
During FY09, PPIN health centers performed more than 42,000 chlamydia and over 42,000 gonorrhea tests. Eighteen percent of those were urine tests in other parts of the state.
PPIN seeks to decrease the incidence of sexually transmitted diseases, prevent unintended pregnancies and detect cervical cancer in the early stages. No other organization in Indiana provides such comprehensive reproductive health services.
In addition to gonorrhea and chlamydia testing, PPIN centers can test for other infections including HIV, syphilis, HPV and herpes.
