Free STD Testing in Baton Rouge, LA

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Table of Contents

Free STD Testing in Baton Rouge, LA

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. STD Directory in Baton Rouge, LA
II. STD Trends in Baton Rouge, LA
III. Best STD Organizations in Baton Rouge, LA
IV. Sources

I. STD Directory in Baton Rouge, LA

At-Home STD Testing

Testing for STDs at home is safe, convenient, and private. Performed regularly, it can help you stay healthy and avoid unknowingly transmitting STDs.

You have many options for at-home STD testing. The best at-home STD tests are FDA approved and evaluated for safety and accuracy with fast result turnaround times and support from health care professionals.

At-home STD testing kits should include instructions for collection and test registration, along with materials such as containers and swabs to collect and send your sample to the lab. Most at-home STD tests offer results in about five days through a secure online patient portal.

Learn More About At-Home STD Testing

II. STD Trends in Baton Rouge, LA

From 2017 to 2018, cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis all increased slightly in Baton Rouge. Chlamydia and gonorrhea had seen a slow increase over the past years, but syphilis cases dropped from 2016 to 2017 before rising again in 2018. During this same period, diagnosis rates for both HIV and AIDs decreased in the area.

Chlamydia

In 2018, more than 5,400 diagnoses of chlamydia were reported by the Louisiana Department of Health for Region 2, which includes East and West Baton Rouge and other surrounding parishes. Cases of chlamydia were reported by women more than men: Only around 31% of the documented cases were associated with male patients during 2018 in the region.

In 2018, the Louisiana DoH noted that 77% of chlamydia cases in the area were associated with African American patients who make up 55% of the city’s population. In general, the Baton Rouge area follows other states and metro locations for age trends when it comes to chlamydia, which tends to be a young person’s disease. The majority of cases in Region 2 in 2018 — close to 70% — were documented in instances involving patients under the age of 25.

By far, the hardest hit parish in the area when it comes to chlamydia is East Baton Rouge. This one parish alone accounted for 74% of the chlamydia cases recorded in Region 2 in 2018.

2018 Chlamydia Diagnoses in Baton Rouge, LA Metro Area

Gonorrhea

In 2018, gonorrhea cases in the region around Baton Rouge were split fairly evenly between males and females. Males accounted for 51% of the new diagnoses. Aside from that, though, gonorrhea follows chlamydia for most other trends.

African Americans accounted for more cases than any other race or ethnicity in Region 2, and 86% of the new cases in 2018. People under the age of 25 were responsible for 55% of the area’s new diagnoses in the same year, and East Baton Rouge Parish reported 82% of the new cases in Region 2 during 2018.

2018 Gonorrhea Diagnoses in Baton Rouge, LA Metro Area

Syphilis

Syphilis in the Baton Rouge area tends to impact a wide age range. In 2018, the Louisiana DoH reports for Region 2 indicate around a third of cases were for people under the age of 25. Around 42% of the cases were related to people aged 25 to 34, and 21% of new syphilis diagnoses were for people 35 and older.

Again, African American people accounted for many of the new cases recorded in 2018 for the area — around 74%. And East Baton Rouge Parish led the numbers with 81% of the new cases for Region 2 within that year.

Learning you have an STD can be scary, and many people avoid finding out for that reason. But even though STDs may not always come with symptoms or discomfort early on, they can lead to serious health consequences down the road. The best way to protect yourself from such issues is to get tested if you’re sexually active. Baton Rouge and the surrounding areas include a number of clinics and agencies that offer free or low-cost STD testing.

III. Best STD Organizations in Baton Rouge, LA

Best STD resources Baton Rouge Badge

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) remain one of the most critical public health challenges facing the United States, with approximately 26 million new STD infections occurring every year. Nearly half of these new infections affect young people ages 15 to 24.

Community-based organizations are a vital first line of defense in the fight against STDs and HIV/AIDS in particular. They generate awareness and foster social change while providing access to testing and treatment.

You may not be aware of all the STD resources in Baton Rouge that can help prevent the spread of STDs. Get connected with these community organizations that are leading the fight against STDs and HIV/AIDS with resources and support:

Family Service of Greater Baton Rouge

Family Service of Greater Baton Rouge administers health and wellness programs for children and families. One of those is HIV care coordination. The agency helps patients diagnosed with HIV get assistance from a number of organizations in the area, including dental and medication assistance, mental health and support counseling, and potential STI testing. Reach out to the organization to find out more about its services and whether you might qualify.

4727 Revere Avenue
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
(225) 927-9810
Website

OpenHealth HAART Clinic

The HAART Clinic includes a Wellness Center that offers health screenings regardless of patients’ ability to pay. Those screenings can include testing for STDs or HIV. The Wellness Center generally operates on Mondays, but the clinic does perform STD testing every weekday. Hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and you don’t need an appointment.

3849 North Boulevard
Baton Rouge, LA 70806
(225) 655-6422
Website

Health Center of Baton Rouge

This is a Planned Parenthood-run clinic that offers a number of health care services for free or on a sliding scale. It also does take insurance. The clinic is open Monday through Friday and two Saturdays a month. Monday through Thursday, it’s open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and on Fridays, it opens at 9:30 a.m. It’s closed all major holidays. Appointments are generally required, and you can make one easily online. You will also need a valid photo ID when you arrive at the clinic, whether you’ve been there before or not.

3825 Government Street
Baton Rouge, LA 70806
(225) 387-1167
Website

Care Pregnancy Clinic

Care Pregnancy Clinic provides some free and low-cost health care services to women who believe they may be pregnant, including pregnancy testing. It also provides some STD testing to help women who are pregnant understand the risks to their baby. The clinic tests for gonorrhea and chlamydia for qualifying women by appointment Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

3813 North Flannery Road
Baton Rouge, LA 70814
(225) 275-0100
Website

Woman's New Life Clinic

This clinic also provides free or low-cost services to women. It offers low-cost, cash pay women’s healthcare by appointment on Wednesdays at its Baton Rouge location. Women’s health services are provided by Woman’s New Life Clinic’s women’s health nurse practitioner and include STD testing and treatment, urgent gynecologic care, and well-woman care. Woman’s New Life Clinic also offers free pregnancy testing, (limited) ultrasounds, and professional counseling for unplanned pregnancies Monday-Friday.

760 Colonial Drive
Baton Rouge, LA 70806
(225) 663-6470
Website

Free STD Testing in Baton Rouge, LA

Free STD Testing in Baton Rouge, LA

I. STD Directory in Baton Rouge, LA

At-Home STD Testing

II. STD Trends in Baton Rouge, LA

Chlamydia

2018 Chlamydia Diagnoses in Baton Rouge, LA Metro Area

Gonorrhea

2018 Gonorrhea Diagnoses in Baton Rouge, LA Metro Area

Syphilis

III. Best STD Organizations in Baton Rouge, LA

Family Service of Greater Baton Rouge

OpenHealth HAART Clinic

Health Center of Baton Rouge

Care Pregnancy Clinic

Woman's New Life Clinic

IV. Sources