Almost half of the people who tested positive for the virus that causes AIDS in a study of aboriginal people in Regina did not know they were infected.
The preliminary finding is part of a pilot study of First Nations people that looks at H-I-V prevention, sexual activity and drug use.
Get daily National news
Funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada, the survey found that of 1,045 people who gave blood samples, five per cent tested positive for the virus.
The survey was conducted between December, 2011 and June 15 of last year with the help of the aboriginal community, Regina health providers, and AIDS groups.
The Saskatchewan Ministry of Health says in 2011, there were 186 H-I-V cases reported in the province, an eight per cent increase compared to the previous year.
Of those H-I-V cases, 81 per cent of the people were aboriginal.
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.