STI Rates in Canada
STI Rates in Canada
STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections) have been on the rise for years but so many people are totally unaware of this epidemic. The Public Health Agency of Canada states that in the last decade, rates of chlamydia, gonorrhea and infectious syphilis have been rising, and between 2011 and 2019, rates have increased by 26% for chlamydia, 171% for gonorrhea, and 389% for infectious syphilis. So then, what can be done?
Education
The best prevention is education and awareness. If the general populace is not aware of the incidence rates of these infections, then people will not fully understand the need for protection. Awareness and education are the foundation of prevention. Only by understanding the process of transmission, the steps of prevention and the awareness of the existence of these pathogens is anyone able to take control of one’s sexual health.
Although this sounds simple, the conversation can be impacted by social, economical, religious and political overtones. The capacity to access products, testing and even education can be impacted by all of these external influences. The end result is a multi-faceted need for change. The more we speak about the need for sexual wellness, hopefully the more normalized it will become. We need to remove the stigma and shame surrounding STIs and sexual wellness so that the epidemic numbers can become more manageable.
Testing
Testing can be a powerful type of prevention for any communicable infection. And especially when many of those infections may be asymptomatic. But again, testing then needs to be accessible and promoted. This will help remove the stigma surrounding sexual wellness and the fear of what exactly testing for STIs entails.
A short synopsis of testing is:
- Blood tests are done for the following: hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV, syphilis and herpes (HSV).
- Urine tests or genital swabs can be done for the following: gonorrhea, chlamydia and trichomoniasis.
- Oral swabs can be done for the following: gonorrhea, chlamydia, HSV and HPV.
- Anal swabs can be done for the following: anal chlamydia, gonorrhea and HPV.
- Lesions swabs can be done for the following: HSV, HPV and syphilis.
It is important to get tested if having multiple sexual partners, the condom or dam breaks or slips, you are not sure of the status of your partner, at an annual checkup, if showing symptoms or know of recent exposure, and/or as part of your routine ongoing health care. The bottom line is that folks of all genders and sexual orientations should be tested once a year, after unprotected sex, or in between new partners — whichever comes first! But the message needs to be promoted to and accessible for all!