Five Horizons offers free and confidential rapid testing for HIV and HCV (Hepatitis C). Tests are provided in our office and at community testing events.
HIV Testing
The OraQuick Rapid HIV-1Antibody Test - Available at no cost.
OraQuick uses a mouth swab. Results are provided in 20 minutes.
Alere Determine HIV-1/2 Ag/Ab Combo - $20 per test.
The Alere is a fingerstick blood test that detects both HIV-1/2 antibodies and free HIV-1 p24 antigen. This test has the ability to identify HIV earlier than previously-developed antibody-only tests. It enables health care providers to diagnose HIV infection earlier allowing individuals to seek medical care sooner. Results are provided in 20 minutes.
Hepatitis C (HCV) Testing
The OraQuick HCV Test
OraQuick is a fingerstick blood test that detects HCV antibodies. Results are provided in 20 minutes.
Mobile Testing
Five Horizons offers mobile testing. Look for us in a community near you.
Prevention Education
Five Horizons Prevention Philosophy
Five Horizons offers HIV/AIDS prevention education services to all individuals and entities in West Alabama. Specific target groups:
- Students in West Alabama colleges, universities, and public schools,
- individuals at high risk for HIV infection due to multiple sex partners and needle use,
- individuals who reside in areas in which HIV infection rates are high.
The goals of these prevention efforts are to:
- Provide factual information about HIV/AIDS.
- Help individuals understand their personal risk level within their community.
- Provide information on how to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS.
- Encourage individuals to make thoughtful, responsible choices about their behavior to significantly reduce their risk of HIV infection.
To maximize effectiveness of the prevention programs, there must be repetition of the prevention message, the message must be age-appropriate, and the program must include information on changing behavior and skills-building.
To schedule a prevention session, contact Ann James at [email protected].
SISTA (Sisters Informing Sisters on Topics about AIDS)
With African-American women contracting HIV more quickly than other demographic groups, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) developed the SISTA Program.
SISTA is a peer-led, social skills training program aimed at preventing HIV infection in African-American women. It is comprised of five 2-hour sessions, delivered by peer facilitators in a community-based setting. Group sessions are conducted that focus on ethnic and gender pride, HIV knowledge, and skills training around sexual risk reduction behaviors and decision making.
Five Horizons’ SISTA Program is funded by Gilead Sciences, Inc.
To schedule SISTA, contact Ann James at [email protected].
West Alabama Probationer and Parolee HIV/HCV Testing Program
The West Alabama Probationer and Parolee HIV Testing Program represents a collaborative effort between Five Horizons Health Services, The University of Alabama, the State of Alabama Probation and Parole Offices, and the Alabama Department of Public Health HIV/AIDS Division of Prevention and Care. The program is designed to provide HIV- and HCV-related education, testing, and linkage-to-care to probationers and parolees in Tuscaloosa County.
This program is funded by the Alabama Department of Public Health and the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
Hispanic/Latinx Outreach
Five Horizons is deeply committed to providing effective outreach and testing to the Hispanic community. FHHS’s Hispanic/Latinx Engagement Coordinator is solely devoted to building relationships within this community, providing culturally-appropriate education, and encouraging the use of HIV and HCV testing.
Contact Graciela de Bonilla for more information on Hispanic/Latinx community engagement.