CONTACT US: 504-326-6503
Photo by Tyler Farmer on Unsplash
WHAT IS THIS STUDY?
HOW IT WORKS: TALK AND TEST
1) TALK:
Answer survey questions anonymously with one of our staff members:
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The surveys are anonymous and will not be linked to your name or any other contact information.
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Our staff is committed to maintaining confidentiality during the survey, which includes questions about your health and sexual experiences. We will not ask you for your name or link any personal identifying information to your responses.
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The whole survey takes around 45 minutes, and you will be compensated for taking part in the study.
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Past participants have said they enjoyed the experience, and were comfortable speaking with our team members, most of whom are also certified counselors.
2) TEST:
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During the consenting process, you will be offered to take anonymous HIV and HCV tests. These tests, done at the same time, are quick and simple and should only require a few drops of blood from a fingerstick. It takes about 20 minutes to get your results and our team is equipped to provide you with linkage to care and resources. To learn more about the testing process, please see the videos linked below.
Worried about what happens for testing?
We have created four quick videos explaining what to expect from home and office testing.
Just click the image to watch!
Bloodspot Collection
Tutorial
Interested in learning more about bloodspot collection? Check out this video for what to expect if you are having bloodspots collected and for tips if you are collecting them yourself!
At-Home OraQuick
HIV Testing Tutorial
Need help running your OraQuick HIV test? Watch this video to guide you through running the test and reading the results from your home!
At-Home STI Sample
Collection Tutorial
Need help collecting and mailing samples for your myLAB Box STI testing kit? Watch this video to guide you through the process for your three-site (genital, oral, and anal) testing for gonorrhea, chlamydia, and HPV!
What To Expect From
In-Person Bonne Santé Testing
WHERE WE WILL BE
You will see our team members in Bonne Santé shirts at local bars and venues that we all know and love in and around New Orleans, such as:
- The Phoenix
- Bettys
- Good Friends
- Three Palms
- OZ
- The Page
- Bourbon Pub and Parade
HELP YOUR COMMUNITY
Since 2008, every three years, our team has surveyed men who have sex with men in New Orleans and surrounding parishes. Please take a look at the findings from our previous studies. Everyone who participates in our survey helps us create more opportunities to improve the health care of men who have sex with men in our community. We are grateful to all of you.
ABOUT
This website was created by the Bonne Santé Nola survey team with the input of New Orleans community members. The surveys and testing we do are part of a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) national survey that takes place in 22 metropolitan areas around the United States. Each year we survey different populations to learn about sexual health, HIV prevalence, and factors that affect people’s sexual health. The data we collect is anonymous and no names or contact info are attached to it. The Bonne Santé team at CrescentCare has been an important and successful part of this effort since 2008. The survey helps us to figure out how best to promote the health and wellness of gay, bi, and other men who have sex with men (GBM) in New Orleans and surrounding parishes. The findings help the CDC, the state, and the city to allocate resources for the GBM community.
THE BONNE SANTÉ TEAM
Erica Vincent (Bonne Santé Researcher)
Erica is a research and education coordinator with the Prevention Department at CrescentCare and is also completing her bachelor's degree in Addiction Behaviors Counseling and Prevention. A New Orleans native, Erica resides in Slidell with her husband Raymond of 23 years and 2 of their 6 children. Erica is also C.E.O. of two youth non-profits, based also in Slidell. She has a certificate in Workforce Development and Training and has worked with State agencies in different capacities for over 25 years. She has been an entrepreneur as well for 15 years.
Tobas Babilon-Crockett (Bonne Santé Researcher)
Tobas was raised in Eastern Washington and first moved to his partner’s hometown of New Orleans in 2012, but has intermittently lived on the road and in the Pacific Northwest. He received his BA in U.S. Politics and Government from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington, and his MSW from Tulane University. His former work experiences are focused on services for homeless and formerly homeless people and HIV research. In his personal life his passions are punk rock, political internationalism, and a variety of nerdy activities.
Jeffery Babineaux (Bonne Santé Researcher)
Owen Ever (Bonne Santé Researcher)
Owen Ever is a community-oriented artist and educator committed to wonder, history, and healthcare justice. Owen moved to Bulbancha/New Orleans in 2009 and has worked with the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum, Project Lazarus, Goat in the Road Productions, The Radical Buffoons, LOUD: Queer Youth Theater, LAST CALL and Prescription Joy. They are also an avid bird watcher and explorer of queer ecologies and are producing a podcast about biological exuberance called A FIELD GUIDE TO GAY ANIMALS.
Meredith Booth (Bonne Santé Program Manager)
Meredith says she’s not from New Orleans but got here as fast as she could. After attending Loyola University, she moved to Central Texas where she developed a passion for public health education while completing her BA in Anthropology from Texas State University. She returned to New Orleans in 2005, just prior to Hurricane Katrina, attended Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine earning an MPH in Epidemiology concentrating in infectious diseases. When she is not doing research or analyzing data, which she calls “painting by numbers”, she can be found on stages and behind the scenes for local cabaret and drag shows.
Narquis Barak (Bonne Sante Program Director)
Narquis was born in Israel and moved the U.S. as a child. She has an M.A. in Social Anthropology from Harvard University and a B.A. in Cultural Anthropology from UCLA. She has taught courses in medical anthropology at Stanford and Harvard. She focuses her public health work on the cross-section between culture and health, having conducted outreach and research in the U.S., Vietnam, Nigeria, India, and China. She loves horror films, meditating, kayaking, campfires, and is addicted to pilates.
HEALTHCARE RESOURCES
FOR GAY, BI, AND OTHER GBM
Brotherhood Inc.
Website
504-566-7955
2714 Canal St. New Orleans, LA 70112
- Free HIV/STI testing by appointment only.
Crescent Care Prevention Department
Website
504-821-2601
1631 Elysian Fields, New Orleans, LA 70117
- Free confidential rapid HIV and HCV testing, counseling, and referral to treatment as well as assistance in Medicaid enrollment.
Daughters of Charity (now DePaul Community Health Center) – multiple locations
- Free and low-cost STI/HIV testing by appointment only; accepting new patients.
Odyssey House Community Health Center
Website
504-383-8559
1125 N. Tonti St., New Orleans, LA
- STI testing, diagnosis and treatment. HIV testing and treatment through HIV Focus program.
- Accepts Medicaid/Medicare/private insurance and sliding scale payment for non-insured; you will not be denied treatment on inability to pay.
Planned Parenthood
- STI testing, diagnosis and treatment, prevention services and education.
- Take Charge Plus and regular Medicaid accepted, as well as private insurance. Financial assistance available for your procedure. If you are eligible for financial assistance you may be asked to bring documentation with you to the health center.
Priority Health Care
Website
504-309-3262
4700 Wichers Dr. Marrero, LA
- STI/HIV testing, diagnosis and treatment. PreP services.
- Accepts all forms of insurance.
- Assistance with medicaid applications available.
Quest Diagnostics, Multiple locations in Louisiana
- Testing for HIV/ HCV/ Chlamydia/ Gonorrhea/ Syphilis, out of pocket expense, $299
- Testing also including Hepatitis A & B, blood count, urinalysis and Trichomoniasis, out of pocket, $499
St. Thomas Clinics ( all 7 locations)
- All locations have STI/HIV testing after referral from in-house doctor.
- Medicaid, insurance, and self-pay with sliding scale.
Tulane Community Health @ Covenant House
- Free HIV/STI testing and treatment for people 13-24 years of age.
- Do not have to be living at Covenant House.
University Medical Center Infectious Disease Clinic
Website
504-702-4344
2000 Canal St., New Orleans, LA 70112
- Only STI/HIV testing for patients referred by doctor.