Alameda County is offering young women free at-home testing kits to detect sexually transmitted diseases.
The new program, called "I Know Alameda," is funded in part by the California Department of Public Health's STD Control Branch, and aims to detect chlamydia and gonorrhea among young women through free, convenient STD testing.
According to the Alameda County Public Health Department, women can order a test kit online, receive it by mail within a few days and take the test in private.
The San Francisco County Public Health Laboratory will process the STD tests and will make the results available by phone or email a week later.
Participants will use a unique username and password to ensure confidentiality, Alameda County health officials said.
The 'I Know Alameda' kits are designed for women 25 years old and younger.
Alameda County Public Health Director Dr. Munti Davis said chlamydia and gonorrhea are two of the most common STDs in Alameda County, with consistently high rates among young adults and teens.
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The initiative is modeled after Los Angeles County's 'I Know' home testing project. Sacramento and San Diego counties are also launching the program, according to the ACPHD.
Davis said the testing program arms young women with the information they need to protect their health and obtain treatment if necessary.
