Prevention & Education
Counseling, Outreach and Harm Reduction Programs
Outreach Programs
MPHS provides outreach programs to our highest risk populations including women, teens, as well as gay, lesbian and transgender individuals. We meet individuals in an environment where they feel most comfortable.
Please call (808) 246-9577 for more information.
PrEP – Harm Reduction
We provide counseling, required lab tests, case management and prescribing for PrEP, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis for HIV risk prevention.
If you are interested in PrEP please call (808) 246-9577 and make an appointment today.
Syringe Exchange & Narcan
Our Harm Reduction program provides a one-for-one syringe exchange to prevent transmission of HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and other blood-borne infections. We also provide free Narcan training at your location and Narcan distribution. Contact us today for more information.
Relationship Skills
Love Notes is a relationship empowerment program focused on effective communication (saying yes or no) as well as education on safer sex practices. Unplanned pregnancy, single parenting, and troubled relationships are a serious threat to the well-being and futures of many young adults, as well as to their children. Love Notes was created for this vulnerable, high-risk audience. In 12 lessons participants discover, often for the first time, how to make wise choices about partners, sex, relationships, pregnancy, and more. Love Notes takes an innovative approach to these topics by integrating relationship skills with pregnancy prevention and workforce readiness with practical strategies for motivating change.
To schedule a Love Notes session, contact us at (808) 246-9577.
Community Education
MPHS provides a variety of specialized, culturally appropriate HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, reproductive health, and STD education programs for the community. Sessions are one to two hours long. Whether basic or detailed, we share a broad open range of information tailored to your group. We request a minimum one-week notice for scheduling and preparation. All of our health educators are trained and certified by the State of Hawaii, Department of Health. HIV/HEP/STD Risk Reduction Literature and condoms are free and available by request. Our programs are fact-based in trans-theoretical education and on harm-reduction.
Contact us at (808) 246-9577 for more information.
Inquiry Form
Condom Facts
Condom use really works in preventing HIV transmission and unintended pregnancy. Consistent use of condoms is 82%–98% effective in preventing unintended pregnancy. HIV and other sexually transmitted viruses and bacteria CAN be transmitted during oral, anal or vaginal intercourse, so always use a condom or a dental dam. You must use a new condom before each sex act (oral, anal or vaginal). If you use lubricants, you must use only water-based lubricants with latex condoms. Avoid oil-based lubricants like cold cream, mineral oil, petroleum jelly, body lotions, massage oil, or baby oil that can damage latex condoms.
Safer-Sex Kits
Malama Pono Health Services offers condoms and “Safer-Sex Kits” (condom and lube packs with directions) free to the community. These can be accessed in our offices or from community-placed condom jars. Individuals may walk in to the MPHS office and ask for up to 10 condoms at a time. Businesses and community organizations may ask for a condom jar to be placed at their location.
HIV/AIDS Facts
Why should you get an HIV test?
Everyone has an HIV status. Getting tested gives you more control of your health and allows you to protect yourself and your partners. It’s recommended that you get tested if you currently or have ever:
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- had sex with someone without a condom
- had a sexually transmitted disease (STD)
- shared needles or works to inject drugs
- shared needles for a piercing or tattoo
- if you are pregnant (HIV-positive women can pass HIV to their babies)
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT HIV TESTING AT MPHS
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- Get your results in about 20 minutes
- All testing is completely confidential
- Affordable (suggested donation of $10)
- Walk in or make an appointment
- Confirmatory testing is available for those who test preliminarily positive or for HIV-positive individuals who need proof of HIV status for service and/or healthcare access
TOP TEN THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT HIV/AIDS
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- HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that can lead to an AIDS diagnosis (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). Not everyone living with HIV has AIDS, but everyone that has AIDS has HIV.
- There is no cure for HIV or AIDS, but the virus is 100% preventable. Actions such as consistent and correct condom use, not sharing injection drug paraphernalia, and following medical recommendations if you are an HIV positive woman who is pregnant or planning a pregnancy decreases risk significantly.
- HIV and AIDS has always and continues to disproportionately impact racial and ethnic minorities.
- People with HIV can have a long, normal lifespan, though the stigma surrounding HIV often creates a not-so-normal life.
- In the United States, it is increasingly rare for pregnant women living with HIV to transmit the virus to their children. However, on a global scale, mother-to-child transmission remains a significant percentage of HIV cases.
- In Hawaii, the vast majority of HIV and AIDS cases are among men who have sex with men. Globally, women share a larger number of HIV/AIDS cases through heterosexual sex.
- While HIV and AIDS may affect different populations in larger numbers or on a larger scale, it can happen to anyone. Young or old, rich or poor, gay or straight, the virus does not discriminate.
- HIV remains a virus that is not transmittable through casual contact such as hugging or sharing utensils. Unprotected sexual intercourse (oral, vaginal, and anal), sharing needles for injection drug use, and mother to child transmission (in utero, during delivery, and breastfeeding) are the main transmission routes for the HIV virus.
- Not everyone living with HIV is taking medication, but those who do take medications are far healthier when they are able to maintain adherence (taking your medication consistently as prescribed). Access to health care, housing, support from family and friends, nutritious meals, and other basic needs greatly increases people’s ability to adhere to their medications, stay healthy, and increases their life expectancy.
- Young people, particularly girls and young women, continue to be at the center of the epidemic. Youth are significantly impacted by the spread of HIV, but they are also at the heart of the movement to stop it. Young people hold the energy to change the future of the pandemic; talking to children and youth in our communities about staying safe and healthy is a great first step to making an impact.
Hepatitis C Facts
What is Hepatitis C?
Hepatitis C is caused by the Hepatitis C virus (HCV). It is usually a chronic
(long-term) infection.
Hepatitis C is spread through direct blood-to-blood contact with someone who has Hepatitis C. The most common way to get Hepatitis C is through sharing injection drug use equipment, getting a blood transfusion prior to 1992, or having other exposure to blood. Treatments are available to manage and even cure Hepatitis C for some people. There is NO vaccine available to prevent infection. It is important to know your Hepatitis C status because there are many things you can do for yourself, your ohana, and your liver if you have Hepatitis C.
Testing for Hepatitis C
Get tested. Most people with Hepatitis C in Hawaii don’t even know that they have it. Symptoms can take many years to show, so it is important to get tested, even if you feel fine. The earlier Hepatitis C is diagnosed, the more you can do to take care of yourself, your ohana, and your liver.
Get tested if any of the below apply to you
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- Ever injected drugs or other substances, even once
- Transfusions/organ transplants before 1992
- Healthcare or public safety workers after exposure to blood with Hepatitis C virus (HCV)
- Children born to HCV-positive women
- History of tattooing or body piercing
- History of multiple sex partners or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
- Long-term steady sex partners of HCV-positive persons
- Users of intranasal cocaine or other non-injection drugs such as ice
- Anyone born in the U.S. from 1945 to 1965, regardless of any known risks
MPHS now offers a rapid Hepatitis C antibody test available that only takes 20 minutes. For more information on the test itself, go to www.testhepc.com.
Hepatitis B Facts
What is Hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B is caused by the Hepatitis B virus (HBV). It is usually an acute (short-term) disease for those infected as adults, but it usually becomes a chronic (long-term) disease for those infected as children. Hepatitis B is spread through contact with blood and other bodily fluids. The most common way to get Hepatitis B is from mother to baby, especially for those born in counties in Asia and the Pacific Islands. It is important to know your Hepatitis B status because there are many things you can do for yourself, your ohana, and your liver if you have Hepatitis B.
Testing & Vaccination for Hepatitis B
Get tested. Most people with Hepatitis B in Hawaii don’t even know that they have it. Symptoms can take many years to show, so it is important to get tested, even if you feel fine. Even if you have been vaccinated, if any of the below applies to you, you should get tested to make sure you didn’t get Hepatitis B BEFORE you got vaccinated:
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- Asians, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders, especially those born in countries with Hepatitis B virus (HBV) prevalence of 2% or more, or whose parents were born in regions with HBV prevalence greater than 8%
- Household contacts and sex partners of people with Hepatitis B
- Pregnant women
- Men who have sex with men
- Injection drug users
- People living with HIV
This is a partial list. For a complete list of recommendations, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website. You can also find more resources at www.hepbsmart.com.