The ANTHC Condom Dispenser Project

Overview

This page is for the ANTHC Condom Dispenser Project and contains the following information:

• HIV and STIs in Alaska
• Why Condom Dispensers?
• The ANTHC Condom Dispenser Project
• ANTHC Strategic Plan
• Contact Us
• References

HIV and STIs in Alaska

In 2021, Alaska was in the top 10 for highest rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) for three separate STIs: chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis⁷. Historically, it has not been uncommon to see Alaska in the top 10 spots for highest STI rates in the nation, and not uncommon to see Alaska Native people disproportionately affected. In 2018, STI rates for Alaska Native people were reportedly up to five times higher, compared to STI rates reported for White people². As of 2020, STI rates continue to escalate, with infections for chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis disproportionately affecting racial and ethnic minority groups, particularly Alaska Native people³.

Syphilis rates in Alaska have been rapidly rising, resulting in an associated rise of congenital syphilis, where babies are born with a syphilis infection. Syphilis rates are highest among Alaska Native people, people who live in urban areas, as well as people who are of reproductive age. This is especially concerning considering that syphilis rates in Alaska have more than doubled in a year, while Alaska’s STD rates remain among the highest in the nation⁶.

Additionally, the CDC ranked Alaska as 16^th highest for rates of primary and secondary syphilis, at 21.8 per 100,000 in the 2022 STI Surveillance Report⁴. Of these rates, 48% were among the Alaska Native and American Indian population, compared to Alaska Native people comprising 15.6% of the state’s population. There were additionally 12 congenital syphilis rates reported in the state ⁸.  In order to achieve ANTHC’s vision that “Alaska Native people are the healthiest people in the world,” HIV and STI rates must be addressed with effective interventions that help to prevent transmission.

Why Condom Dispensers?

Across the field of HIV and STI prevention, condom distribution has been found to be among one of the most effective strategies at preventing STIs, including syphilis. Condom availability programs have been found to be an effective strategy to significantly lower rates of STIs, without increasing the age of sexual initiation or sexual activity. Condom availability programs increase the availability of safer sex supplies to clients, in turn increasing the rates of client condom uptake and thereby leading to these improved sexual health outcomes¹.

The ANTHC Condom Dispenser Project

The HIV/STD Prevention Program’s iKnowMine.org team has worked with ANTHC leadership to install condom dispensers throughout ANTHC buildings on the Alaska Native Health Campus. These dispensers work to provide free condoms to our Alaska Native and American Indian clients and workforce.

Locations are generally in the publicly available bathrooms of:

• Diplomacy Building
• Education and Development Center
• Inuit Building
• Patient Housing
• SpringHill Suites (request from front desk)

The condom dispensers are fitted with access to education on:

• HIV and STI testing availability in-person through their providers
• iKnowMine.org, a resource to access free HIV and STI prevention supplies discreetly, and
• Contact information for any follow-up needs, such as empty or broken dispensers or questions about HIV and STIs.

Installation of these units improves patient access to HIV and STI prevention supplies on the Alaska Native Health Campus. By installing condom dispensers in these key locations, ANTHC is taking the initiative to provide accessible preventative health care services for Alaska Native and American Indian people, promoting safer sexual health and wellness, and delivering excellent services that improve the health and wellness of our communities.

ANTHC Strategic Plan

This project aligns with the ANTHC strategic plan in the following ways:

• Strategic Theme: Achieve Performance Excellence
  • Goal: Deliver excellent services that improve the health and wellness of the community.
  • Objective: Accelerate efforts to improve patient access, quality, and experience, including behavioral health services.
• Strategic Theme: Enhance the System of Care
  • Goal: Invest purposefully in infrastructure to improve public health
  • Objective: Align health education, food security, and training initiatives with the strategic plan.

Get in touch!

Questions or comments about the project? Noticed any broken, malfunctioning or empty dispensers?

Fill out the form below & an iKnowMine.org staff member will get back to you shortly.

References

1. Algur, E., Wang, E., Friedman, H. S., & Deperthes, B. (2019). A Systematic Global Review of Condom Availability Programs in High Schools. The Journal of adolescent health: official publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine, 64(3), 292–304. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2018.11.013
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2020). Health Disparities. American Indians and Alaska Natives. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/nchhstp/healthdisparities/americanindians.html#:~:text=Overall%2C%20the%20rate%20of%20reported,times%20the%20rate%20among%20Whites.&text=In%202018%2C%20the%20rate%20of%20reported%20gonorrhea%20cases%20among%20AI,times%20the%20rate%20among%20Whites.
3. CDC. (2023). Fact Sheets. Reported STDs in the United States, 2020. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/nchhstp/newsroom/fact-sheets/std/std-us-2020.html
4. CDC. (January 30, 2024). 2022 STI Surveillance Report. Sexually Transmitted Infections Surveillance, 2022. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/std/statistics/2022/tables/2022-STI-Surveillance-State-Ranking-Tables.pdf
5. Department of Health, HIV/STD Program (DOH HIV/STD). (2023a). HIV Data & Statistics. HIV Data & Statistics by Year. Retrieved from: https://health.alaska.gov/dph/Epi/hivstd/Pages/hivdata.aspx
6. DOH HIV/STD. (2023b). HIV/STD. HIV/STD Program. Retrieved from https://health.alaska.gov/dph/Epi/hivstd/Pages/default.aspx
7. DOH HIV/STD. (2023c). STD Awareness. Alaska Has High Rates of STDs. Retrieved from https://health.alaska.gov/dph/Epi/hivstd/Pages/hivstd/awareness.aspx
8. SOA. (October 12, 2023). Syphilis Update – Alaska, 2022. State of Alaska Epidemiology Bulletin. Retrieved from https://epi.alaska.gov/bulletins/docs/b2023_18.pdf