HPEPH’s Sexual Health Program works to reduce the burden of sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections and improve access to non-judgmental sexual health care within Hastings and Prince Edward Counties (HPEC). For information on the local rates of sexually transmitted and blood borne infections check out the Diseases of Public Health Significance (DOPHS) Dashboard.
Case Management of Sexually Transmitted Infections
- Positive lab results for reportable sexually transmitted and bloodborne infections are received by HPEPH for patients within HPEC.
- First line treatment should be prescribed for all sexually transmitted and bloodborne infections.
- Publicly Funded Treatment for most reportable STIs is available from HPEPH and can be ordered using the forms below.
- Physicians and other practitioners are required to report suspect and confirmed cases of reportable sexually transmitted and bloodborne infections to their local public health unit.
Low-Cost Birth Control Program
- The Sexual Health Program offers low-cost dispensing of many contraceptive options, including emergency contraceptives for patients who are not covered under a health insurance plan (e.g. OHIP +, ODSB or OW).
- Health Care Providers can fax a prescription for contraceptives to HPEPH’s sexual health clinic at 613-968-1482 (FAX) or patients may bring a copy of their prescription to HPEPH.
- Low-cost contraception available through Hastings Prince Edward Public Health.
Emergency contraception and low-cost birth control
- Alysena (Generic name of Alesse)
- Depo Provera
- Evra Patches
- Linessa
- LoLo
- Mirvala (Generic name of Marvelon)
- Ovima (Generic name of MinOvral)
- NuvaRing
- Slynd
- Tricera-lo
- Plan B
- ella
- Oral contraceptives: $10/pack
- Evra: $10/pack of 3 patches
- Nuvaring: $10/pack of 1 ring
- Depo: $30/vial (3 mth supply)
- Plan B and ella: $10
Please note: A patient can access reduced-cost Depo Provera through HPEPH, but it is expected that they will return to their healthcare provider’s office for their injections.
Condoms, for distribution within your clinic setting, are also available to order at no-cost through HPEPH’s vaccine order form.
HIV, PrEP and PEP
Health care providers play an important role in helping people at risk of HIV and living with HIV improve their health outcomes.
- PrEP: Pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, is a highly effective HIV prevention strategy that HIV-negative people can use to lower their chance of getting HIV.
- PEP: Post-exposure prophylaxis, or PEP, is a way to help prevent the transmission of HIV in an HIV-negative person who may have been recently exposed to the virus.
- U=U is shorthand for Undetectable equals Untransmittable. The clarity of this message makes it easier for service providers to promote the undeniable benefits of treatment.
Resources for Health Care Providers
- Preventing HIV transmission: Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U): Communication tips for health professionals
- U=U Guide for Service Providers
- Catie PrEP fact sheet
- Syphilis Poster – General
- HPEPH “Condom Sense” Promotional Poster
Other Related Links
- Public Health Ontario -Ontario Gonorrhea Testing and Treatment Guide, Second Edition, November 2018
- Public Health Ontario – Bacterial STI Testing: Quick Reference
- Public Health Ontario – Gonorrhea Treatment Quick Reference for Adolescents and Adults
- Canadian STI Guidelines
- Canadian STI Guidelines – Syphilis Management
- https://www.sexandu.ca/
- https://www.catie.ca/catieca
