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The Board of Health does not currently provide screening for badually transmitted infections
WAPELLO – A growing problem of badually transmitted infections among young adults in Louisa County could be encouraged by a grant to the Johnson County Public Health Service and possibly another program administered by Scott County, said Wednesday the County of Louisa Health Board.
Louisa County Public Health Administrator, Roxanne Smith, said she recently met with two representatives from the Johnson County Public Health Department to discuss expanding their services. STI-funded STI screening in Louisa County.
"We do not have tests in Louisa County," Smith said, explaining that there was one family planning clinic in Muscatine and one in Burlington, but only private doctors were available in Louisa County. to perform tests.
Board Chair Breanne Hammond said it was a major concern because of the recent statistics she had seen.
"STIs in Iowa have increased significantly, by 22%, especially among 16 to 24 year olds," she said.
The available awareness in Johnson County could help fill the shortage of test sites in Louisa County, Smith said, adding that the Johnson County program would not set any targeted age.
"It's free and free," she said, adding that Johnson County testing would be limited to cases of HIV and hepatitis C.
However, in a previous discussion with the council, Jamie Walker, Trinity Muscatine's public health officer, described a Scott County mobile test unit that was also testing for STIs in the County of Muscatine.
According to Walker, the mobile unit traveled to Muscatine County about once a month and tested for gonorrhea and chlamydia.
"I think the mobile clinic only covers these two," she said.
"Is this mobile clinic coming to Louisa County?" Smith asked.
Walker said that she did not know it, but that she would inform him of this possibility and that it would come back to Smith, who indicated that the Johnson County and County programs Scott could be major partners in Louisa County for the provision of STI screening services.
Smith said she would ask Johnson County representatives to attend next month's board meeting to further explain their program. She hoped that both test opportunities could become available in Louisa County.
"I do not know if it is the same subsidy (but) if Scott County can fight gonorrhea and chlamydia (and that Johnson County is managing HIV and AIDS). hepatitis C), we can cover a lot more, "said Smith.
In the meantime, Walker also informed the Board of Trinity Muscatine Public Health of other activities Trinity Muscatine Public Health offered to Louisa County as a partner in a grant to Trinity from the Children's Health Foundation. mothers and teenagers.
She highlighted ongoing education and awareness efforts with screenings and badessments of maternal health; developmental screening for young children up to 5 years; contract services for a community-based teen pregnancy prevention program with the Louisa County Extension Service; and 1st Five, Hawk-I, child vaccinations, dental screenings and other efforts.
In another action, the board of health:
• received an update on environmental health from the County Health Department, Jeff Cole;
• approved a tax management procedure;
• approved a badfeeding bag technique;
• Completion of the grant application for the County's Immunization Services for Fiscal Year 2020, which will provide approximately $ 10,000 in funding, to be shared between the Southeast Iowa Community Health Centers. in Columbus Junction.
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