Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Need Free STD Testing?


The Bloomington Men S.T.R.O.N.G. Project is a community-focused research project on men’s health. Our goal is to improve men’s health by better understanding sexually transmitted disease (STD) rates and sexual behaviors of 17-24 year old males in Bloomington communities. The Bloomington Men S.T.R.O.N.G. Project’s community and campus outreach focus means that results can directly inform and improve public health screening and prevention programs for adolescent boys.

Bloomington Men S.T.R.O.N.G. Project staff will work with community members to identify Monroe County locations for screening. At each community location, men 17-24 years old will be approached and informed of the project, and, if interested, enrolled. They will sign a consent form, take a brief survey on a tablet computer, give a specimen for STD testing, and provide contact information for results. The S.T.R.O.N.G. Project will test for three common STDs: Gonorrhea, Chlamydia and Trichomonas. All participants will be called with results. Any men with positive STD tests will be referred for treatment, and Bloomington Men S.T.R.O.N.G. Project staff will help with this referral. At the conclusion of the project, results from the Bloomington Men S.T.R.O.N.G. Project will be provided to collaborating community organizations.

What is it called the Bloomington Men S.T.R.O.N.G. Project?

S.T.R.O.N.G. stands for Sexually TRansmitted infections Occurring in our NeiGhborhoods. The S.T.R.O.N.G. project would like to strengthen men’s health through STD screening and referrals to treatment.

Who can participate in the Bloomington Men S.T.R.O.N.G. Project?

Men between the ages 17-24 years old can participate. Parental permission is not required – young men can sign their own consent form. Participation is voluntary.

Why is the study being done?

The project is being done to find out the rates of 3 common STI’s among young men 17-24 years old at community locations in Monroe County and to find relationships between populations and STI rates. The information will be used to strengthen screening and prevention programs for college age men.

What are the benefits to men?

All Participants will receive free STD testing and a $20 gift card. Participants testing positive for an STD will receive counseling information and a referral for STD treatment.

How long will the project take?

The project takes about 25 minutes.

Is the project safe?

The Bloomington Men S.T.R.O.N.G. Project has been approved by the Indiana University Institutional Review Board. The project has special protections for privacy and confidentiality (for example, password protection and encryption of data, using study numbers instead of names, and not sharing an individual’s information). If a participant feels uncomfortable answering questions, they can choose not to answer that question or to stop. If a man needs help, Project staff will refer to an appropriate community provider. All participant information and involvement is kept confidential.

What are the benefits to community and campus organizations?

There are several benefits:

· The S.T.R.O.N.G. project will provide project results back to community organizations to be used for grants, education, and program planning.

· The S.T.R.O.N.G. project will help familiarize and inform men of the community to aspects of sexual health and available resources.

Who is responsible for the study?

This principal investigator is Dr. Mary A. Ott from the Section of Adolescent Medicine in the Indiana University School of Medicine (317-274-8812/ maott@iupui.edu).


How do I get more information about the S.T.R.O.N.G. Project?

Call: (812) 266-1978 or (812) 266-1983

Email: bloomingtonstrong@gmail.com

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