SASKATOON – A report from the Saskatoon Health Region says HIV rates are declining in the city but cautions more needs to be done to combat high infection rates.
While the rates have declined, it is still almost double the national rate. In 2013, the rate in Saskatoon was 12.8 per 100,000, a 59 per cent drop from 2009 when it peaked at 31.3 per 100,000 people.
The report found those at greatest risk for contracting HIV were injection drug users, followed by heterosexual sex and sex between men.
It also reported there have been 558 confirmed HIV cases since 2005 and 80 cases of AIDS.
The key to treatment is early detection said Dr. Dr Johnmark Opondo, the region’s deputy medical health officer.
“HIV in 2014 is very different from what it was in the 1980s or 1990s. Treatment is available, and with good adherence, HIV care is pretty close to the management of any other chronic disease,” said Opondo.
“When people know their HIV status, they can be supported to get the treatment they need to stay healthy and avoid passing HIV on to others.”
There are roadblocks.
Social determinants such as housing, gender and ethnicity” are affecting treatment and transmission rates said the report.
The health region said in an effort to reduce HIV rates, it will work with its partners to increase health promotion and prevention efforts, and increase efforts to integrate health care services and social support.
It will also improve surveillance to better evaluate progress and improve treatment with more treatment and test sites.
- Budget 2024: Liberals look to offset drug plan cost with higher smoking, vaping taxes
- Landmark smoking ban that would phase out sales passes U.K. parliament
- ‘Bacterial vampirism’: Deadly pathogens attracted to human blood, study finds
- Health task force blasted over ‘dangerous guidance’ for cancer screenings
Comments