HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – While HIV testing is usually done directly through the local Health Department, this mobile unit in Christian County is bringing the tests directly to at-risk communities.
No name is necessary, and no ID is necessary when people arrive to a mobile testing site. “It can be scary, especially if they have concerns,” said Annie Catron from UK Healthcare. “We want people to feel as comfortable as possible.”
Annie and Angel help operate these mobile units throughout Christian County and test upwards of 200 people a month. They work with the Target4 program through UK Healthcare. HIV and Hep-C testing used to be done directly through the Christian County Health Department, but they have gone mobile in hopes of reaching the community more directly.
“It doesn’t matter what your background is, you’re going to be treated with respect and dignity,” said Annie. The ultimate goal is to eliminate the stigma that may go along with testing and be accessible to people that need it.”
Additional Services
“Another important part of the process is education … we offer condoms, Narcan, and fentanyl test strips,” says Angel Vincent, who also works for UK Healthcare. Along with testing, they also focus on education to help decrease the spread of HIV and Hep-C. Drug prevention is a big part of their goal and they aim to help prevent as many overdoses as possible.
Annie prides their efforts of reaching out the diverse communities through the county, and word of mouth seems to be curating the crowds at most of their locations. In the future they are hoping to have their own phone line set up separate from the Health Department so they can reach community members more directly who are in need of testing or Narcan.
“If that bus is somewhere, people want to get tested,” said Annie. Find more information and their schedule on the Exchange Christian County Facebook Page.