About kitt
The Kings Informed Tested Treated Project (kittproject) is a county health program funded in partnership with the Kings County Department of Public Health and implemented by the California Health Collaborative. The program is tasked with reducing health disparities and sexually transmitted infections in Kings County by providing more access to free STI testing kits and treatment among the African American, LGBTQ+ communities, and people who can become pregnant in Kings County.
California Health Collaborative
The California Health Collaborative (Collaborative) is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization committed to enhancing the quality of life and health of the people of California, particularly the underserved and underrepresented. Founded in 1982 and headquartered in Fresno, California, the Collaborative has multiple offices throughout California serving residents throughout the state.
Guided by its mission of “changing lives by improving health and wellness,” the Collaborative implements an array of health promotion and disease prevention programs, public health surveillance systems, and a variety of capacity-building and networking activities.
Primary.Health
Primary.Health is powering the decentralization of care in public health. With access to easy and affordable diagnostics, Primary.Health is helping community leaders to reduce administrative burden, automate clinical workflows, and integrate with the healthcare ecosystem. Primary.Health provides program management software and program design services enabling employers, schools, and communities to remain safe and healthy.
Through our work with the largest, most complex organizations at the height of the pandemic, Primary has earned the experience and trust to provide superior diagnostic testing for flu, COVID-19, STI, HIV, RSV, and other conditions that threaten population health. To learn more about our sexual health offerings, click below:
Meet the Team
Jennifer Acidera (she/hers)
Project Director
California Health Collaborative
Ashley Neely (she/they)
Health Educator
California Health Collaborative
Karla Mendez-Jimenez (she/her)
Health Educator
California Health Collaborative
FAQs
-
STI stands for sexually transmitted infection, which can be spread through sexual behavior including oral sex and penetrative sex or sometimes intimate skin-to-skin contact. Some common types of STIs include chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes, HPV, and HIV.
-
You can get an STI by having unprotected oral, anal, and vaginal sex. It’s important to use a barrier method like condoms to prevent the spread of STIs.
-
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates 1 in 5 people in the U.S. have sexually transmitted infections. It can even be more because people who are infected sometimes don’t realize it.
-
Yes. Not everyone who has an STI will have symptoms, but they are still contagious and can infect their partners, especially if engaging in unprotected sex.
-
Anyone who is sexually active and has had oral, vaginal, or anal sex should be tested. Everyone should also get tested during their regular check-ups. Newly pregnant people should also be tested for STIs. Click the “Get Tested” button to view different STI testing options available in Kings County.
-
Yes, you can get an STI after you have been treated if you engage in unprotected oral, anal, and vaginal sex with someone who has an STI. That's why it's so important to make sure your partners are tested and treated.
-
The only birth control methods that protect from STIs are external (male) condoms, internal (female) condoms, and abstaining from oral, anal, and vaginal sex. Birth control pills, IUDs, injections, rings, etc., do not protect you from STIs. You would need to pair these methods with a condom to protect yourself from STIs.
-
Yes, vaginal discharge is normal. Vaginal discharge can change during different times of your menstrual cycle. However, some vaginal discharge can also be an indicator of an STI, bacterial vaginosis, or a yeast infection. If you have vaginal discharge that has a color other than clear or white, or bad odor, or if the discharge comes with irritation, itching, pain, or discomfort while having sex, you might have an infection. Please notify a health care provider if you notice these changes.
-
It is important to share your STI status with your intimate partner(s). This helps stop the spread of STIs. If you’re uncomfortable for any reason, some health care providers will notify the partner(s) on your behalf. You can also use the anonymous partner notification tool called tellyourpartner.org. They will text or email your partner(s) anonymously on your behalf.