Project O.W.N.I.T.
The purpose of Project O.W.N.I.T. is to reduce Black MSM’s (Black men who have sex with men) risk of acquiring or transmitting HIV and to increase testing to detect and treat sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Project goals
The Project O.W.N.I.T (Options for Wellness Now and Information on Testing & Treatment) program is a comprehensive high-impact HIV prevention program that initiates various prevention strategies to help reduce community members risk for acquiring and/or transmitting HIV, and other STI. Increase disease detection and strengthen a continuum of HIV care and treatment. The primary population of focus is African American men who have sex with men (BMSM) in the St. Louis City and County, Missouri and St. Clair County, Illinois.
The Project’s overarching objectives are to 1) identify and provide targeted HIV testing and appropriate integrated STI screenings. 2) Link or re-link newly or previously diagnosed HIV-positive persons to HIV medical care and essential support services. 3) Provide partner services to HIV-positive persons. 4) Refer negative persons to PrEP. 5) Distribute condoms and risk-reduction materials to community members at highest risk for HIV infection.
Successful outcomes for this project include increases in the provision of prevention information, HIV testing, offerings of condoms, linkages to HIV/STI medical care, adherence to HIV treatment, prevention, and essential support services. There will also be an increase in personal knowledge of HIV status, awareness of personal HIV/STD infection risk, and an increase in the number of individuals who adopt/sustain individual HIV/STD risk-reduction behaviors (i.e., nPEP, PrEP). Long-term outcomes include reduced new infections, improved health outcomes, and reduced HIV-related health disparities.
Prevent transmission of HIV
The heart of the HIV continuum of prevention and care to is test community members at least once every three months, depending on condomless sexual encounters without PrEP. We also deliver CTRS (Counseling, Testing, and Referral Services) to reduce the spread of HIV & STDs among BMSM (PS21-2102 & IL).
Detect and treat STIs
We test for sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis. At both locations we offer free condoms and lube to all community members.
Offer prevention
We offer free condoms and strongly encourage sexually active individuals to take PReP and use condoms.
Link to HIV care
We link newly diagnosed & previously identified HIV positive persons to care in under 30 days.
Support and care for high-risk negative individuals and people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA)
- Risk reduction education (i.e. PCC & testing together - formerly couples HIV testing and counseling)
- High-impact intervention (i.e. D-Up, PrEP, nPEP & Social Networking Strategies)
- Support and essential service referrals such as counseling, housing and legal aid
Defend Yourself! (D-Up!)
Defend Yourself! (d-up!) is a community-level HIV prevention intervention for Black men who have sex with men (MSM). d-up! is a cultural adaptation of the Popular Opinion Leader (POL) intervention and is designed to change social norms and perceptions of Black MSM regarding condom use. d-up! finds and enlists opinion leaders whose advice is respected and trusted by their peers. These opinion leaders are trained to change risky sexual norms in their own social networks.
Healthcare from people who care
We have been serving St. Louis and East St. Louis residents for over 30 years. Our services cover HIV/STI testing, treatment and prevention, mental health services, substance misuse support and more. We also offer supportive services like food assistance and safe spaces.