HIV

CDC Content Warning

This website and accompanying blogs may contain content only suitable for adults.

Since HIV infection is spread primarily through sexual practices or by sharing needles, prevention messages and programs may address these topics. HIV prevention materials funded by CDC must be approved by local program review panels. However, some viewers may consider the materials controversial.

166842581Knowing if you are infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), the virus that causes Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), is the first step to getting medical care and other needed services.

Siouxland Community Health Center provides HIV counseling and testing in English and Spanish.  All services are offered free of charge.  Testing is available Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.  Walk-ins are welcome during this time – you do not need an appointment to see one of the HIV counselors.  Testing is also available from 5 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. by appointment.  Please call 712-252-2477 to make your appointment.

If you are looking for testing outside of the Health Center, please refer to the Outreach calendar.  Anyone can be tested at any of the events on the calendar.

Who should be tested?  Testing and counseling for early diagnosis of HIV infection are especially recommended for the following people:

  • People who have had sexually transmitted diseases
  • Injecting drug users and their spouses, sex partners and needle-sharing partners (Free Hepatitis C testing also available)
  • Men who have sex with other men
  • A female sexual partner of a man who has sex with other men
  • A sexual partner of anyone who is HIV positive
  • Anyone who identifies as Black or Hispanic
  • Anyone who received blood/blood products prior to 1992.  (Free Hepatitis C testing also available)

HIV Testing at SCHC has three main components:

The first is the pre-test counseling session.  SCHC’s counselor addresses emotional needs and concerns, and provides an overview of HIV/AIDS transmission and prevention.

The second part is the Clearview Complete Rapid HIV-1/2 test.  The Clearview Complete HIV ½ Antibody Test is used to test a drop of your blood for HIV antibodies.  One drop of blood is collected by gently pricking your finger with a lancet.  The test is then run for 15 minutes to determine if antibodies are detected.

The third part of is the post-test results pick-up and counseling.  Results are available within 15 minutes of taking the test.  The SCHC counselor will respond to your needs and concerns, discuss risk reduction strategies, and arrange for confirmatory testing, as needed.

If you have any additional questions, you can contact the HIV department at Siouxland Community Health Center by phone at 712-252-2477.

Outside of Iowa, you can call the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National AIDS Hotline.  They can answer any questions you might have about HIV and AIDS and direct you to a nearby test site.  They are open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.  1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636) TTY: 1-888-232-6348 (24/7)

Siouxland Community Health Center offers a full continuum of HIV services for individuals who are HIV positive and are seeking compassionate and professional HIV/AIDS services from the people who have been fighting the disease since its earliest days.  Services are offered to those in the tri-state region of Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota.

Medical Services


We know that managing a chronic disease can be tough.  Siouxland Community Health Center’s HIV medical care team includes two medical doctors and a physician’s assistant.  All three providers are certified by the American Academy of HIV Medicine.  The HIV department also includes nurses, case managers, prevention specialists and a benefit specialist.  Our goal is to partner with you to achieve and maintain good health.  Services offered include, but are not limited to:

  • Primary care and HIV specialty care including labs, immunizations, physical exams and treatment for patient co-infected with Hepatitis C
  • Medical case management
  • Medication adherence monitoring and management
  • A full staff of social workers
  • An in-house pharmacy with pharmacists experienced with HIV drug regimens
  • A full dental staff trained and experienced in working with HIV positive clients
  • In-house interpreters in numerous languages including Spanish, Oromo, Amharic, French and Vietnamese
  • Assistance with transportation to and from your appointments
  • In-house HIV support group facilitated by a certified counselor who has more than 20 years of experience with HIV support
  • Emergency financial assistance for housing and utilities

To make an appointment or speak to one of our team members confidently and confidentially, call 712-252-2477.

Siouxland Community Health Center’s prevention services are designed to provide you with information and materials you can use to reduce or eliminate your risk for acquiring HIV.

CLEAR FAQ

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Project HIM

Project HIM

him-logoRates of HIV continue to rise among gay and bi men. The majority of gay and bi men remain HIV negative. We celebrate that, and believe that can be the start of a healthy lifestyle.

Project HIM is a revolutionary gay, bi, and trans men’s health project developed right here in Iowa. We’re passionate people whose mission is to stop HIV in its tracks.

No more shame, no more guilt – we want to bring everyone to the table, from all walks of life, all types of guys, barebackers and condom users alike, to celebrate our strengths as gay, bi, and trans men. No matter what you’re doing, we can help you have the least risk possible.

By focusing on what’s healthy and sexy about us, and by bringing together a team of well-connected guys from the community, we use enticing events and engaging videos of local guys to promote testing and overall wellness. Our website provides a platform for men to improve their health, as well as share their stories; we celebrate the positives and provide opportunities to grow.

Healthy. Strong. Aware. Project HIM believes in addition to improving the overall health of Iowa men, HIV/STD testing and awareness of status will become part of every Iowa man’s routine healthcare.

RESOURCES FOR IOWA GUYS

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HIV Resources

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CLEAR FAQ

CLEAR FAQ

What is CLEAR?

CLEAR is a national evidence-based program focused on empowerment and overall health and wellness for gay and bisexual men.

What does CLEAR stand for?

C.L.E.A.R. stands for “Choosing Life:  Empowerment, Action, Results!”  Rather than feeling stuck or simply taking whatever comes your way (no matter how unsatisfactory) CLEAR is about living the life you’ve chosen for yourself,.

Is CLEAR like therapy?

Unlike traditional therapy where you talk to a counselor about your problems, CLEAR sessions are more like empowerment and self-improvement workshops.  Some people have compared CLEAR to life-coaching. Sessions are structured with exercises and activities focused on setting and achieving goals, relaxation, communication, having healthy relationships, and managing stressful situations that affect your health. Clients work on being present in today and improving their futures.

No offense, but one of the CLEAR counselors is a lady.  What can she tell me about being a gay man?

Remember, while your sexuality is important, it is only a portion of who you are as a person and CLEAR is a holistic approach to health and wellness. Your CLEAR counselor is very passionate about gay issues and has extensive experience working in sex-positive environments with the gay community. Some gay men may feel vulnerable or uncomfortable sharing their personal business with other gay men in the community, and your CLEAR counselor can offer you an objective perspective. She is your personal sounding-board and will listen to anything you have to tell her confidentially and without any judgment.

Will I be working in a group? Can my partner come?

***No. CLEAR workshops are one-on-one and specific to each client’s individual interests and needs. When you and your partner both attend individual sessions, you’ll have the freedom to speak openly without fear of a group’s reaction, or your partner’s reaction. Individual CLEAR sessions are great for partners to attend separately because the material and the positive changes you would like to make are reinforced when you both talk about it at home. You can support one another in what you’ve learned and the goals you set.  And the communication session is excellent for guys in relationships!

***We are going to be hosting a party every couple of months for CLEAR attendees to get together, socialize and discuss some of the activities of CLEAR as well as bring friends and family.  Contact one of the CLEAR counselors for more information or if you are interested.

Is CLEAR expensive?  How much does it cost?

CLEAR is completely free – and The Project will actually give you a $10 gift card for attending. Bus tokens and assistance with transportation costs are also available.

How long are CLEAR sessions?  What would I be committing to?

CLEAR appointments are typically once per week from an hour to an hour and a half long. The CLEAR counselor asks that you commit to trying 8 sessions, but of course, this is completely voluntary.  CLEAR is a process of self-discovery and is meant to be fun, but many key components may be missed or not fully explored if not given the recommended time allotted to each activity. If you begin CLEAR and find that it is not right for you at this time, tell your counselor.  You are the expert on your life and what you feel you can or cannot commit to, so your counselor will understand if you aren’t able to focus on CLEAR.

CLEAR is conducted as an HIV prevention program… does that mean you’re going to talk to me about HIV tests, condoms and safe sex all the time while I’m there?

No.  CLEAR is a holistic approach to health and wellness, and your sex life/sexuality is only a small part of who you are.

The first time you come to CLEAR, you and the counselor will get to know each other a little bit and fill out the enrollment paperwork, during which the counselor will ask you about basic background information, including recent sexual history.  Beyond that, CLEAR topics revolve around what you bring to the session.

While there are certain sessions that focus on sexual relationships, these are optional sessions that are only offered if you choose them.  Please see the next question for more information about CLEAR sessions.

You mentioned that CLEAR is structured with activities and more like a workshop than counseling, but I’m still wondering what we’ll be talking about in CLEAR.  Do you have a “table of contents,” a workbook, or a program that describes what each session will cover?

The CLEAR curriculum generally consists of:

Enrollment Session:  The first time you come to see the CLEAR counselor is an enrollment session.  As mentioned in the previous question, the all of the enrollment paperwork will be filled out at this time. The counselor will also explain the CLEAR curriculum to you and answer any questions you may have about CLEAR. You and the CLEAR counselor will get to know each other and discuss your expectations during CLEAR.

5 Core Sessions:  During the next five sessions, or “Core Sessions” you will be learning the core principles behind CLEAR.  The core session topics include dealing with stressful situations and people, managing stress and relaxation techniques, problem solving, effective communication, setting goals for your future and finding the motivation and support to work toward your goals. We will discuss different areas of health (physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual) and how your overall health may be affected if you are struggling in one or more areas.  Again, these sessions are about your general, holistic health and wellness and we will talk about any topics you choose to bring into the CLEAR session.

Menu Sessions:  After the five Core Sessions, you may choose from a menu of topics to work in-depth on more specific areas of your life.  These are called “Menu Sessions” and it is recommended that clients attend sessions on at least one topic that is applicable to your life. Here are some of the topics offered :

  • Healthy relationships
  • Having a healthy sex life
  • Condom 101 attendees receive a gift bag of goodies to take home!
  • Battling stigma or homo-negativity.
  • Self care
  • Managing alcohol/substance use.
  • Partnering in your healthcare

Wrap-Up Session:  Finally, during the Wrap-Up Session we will review all your successes and plan ways to continue to take time for yourself after graduating from the CLEAR program.

I’m still not sure about CLEAR. Is there someone I can email or call with questions?

Yes. You may call or email the CLEAR counselor for more information, or set up a consultation with no obligation to enroll.

Contact Joe at

jmcculley@slandchc.com – 712-202-1009

Or Courtney at

cmccrellias@slandchc.com – 712-202-1183

Thank you for your interest in CLEAR!

RESOURCES FOR IOWA GUYS

The Gay Men’s Health Committee, an ad hoc committee of the Iowa Department of Public Health‘s Community Planning Group;  has compiled a directory for Gay & Bi-Sexual Men living in Iowa to use when looking for the health resources* they may need.

www.iowaguys.wix.com/resources

*These resources are not screened, and therefore, no guarantees can be offered concerning the quality of services; however the hope is that these resources are much more likely to be culturally competent in working with gay and bi men in Iowa.