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Sexually Transmitted Infections

Sexually transmitted infections (STI’s) are a public health concern in Canada. As a national aboriginal organization representing the interests of Aboriginal women in Canada, NWAC is concerned about the overall sexual health of Aboriginal women. Sexual health is a broad term, capturing not only aspects related to the mental health and safety of a person, but their overall sexuality including sexual identity and lifestyles.

The NWAC health unit seeks to comprehend and acknowledge the over arching needs, values and actions related to sexual health and the individual and community.

The rates of sexually transmitted infections in Canada, such as Chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis and HIV and AIDS continue to rise. Similar trends are also observed in the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom. These four countries indicate that Chlamydia is the most commonly reported STI and is predominant in younger aged females, whereas gonorrhoea is the highest STI reported for young men aged 20-24 and is attributed to men who have sex with men.

Unfortunately little data is available on STI and the Aboriginal population; this may be attributed to less testing among this group. However, several reports indicate that rates of Chlamydia is highest in the northern parts and territories of Canada, and the Alaskan state. According to the Centre for Infection Disease Prevention and Control, Aboriginal youth account for 26.5% of new HIV infections, compared to 19% in non-Aboriginal HIV infections. This statistic is confirmed by the Canadian Aboriginal Aids Network who indicate that one out of every four youth in Canada who tests positive for HIV is Aboriginal. Aboriginal women are almost three times more likely to contract AIDS than non-Aboriginal women (23.1% versus 8.2%).

Available statistics on STIs and Aboriginal people are staggering given that this population group only accounts for 3.3% of the Canadian population. NWAC is currently seeking opportunities of engagement to address the sexual health of Aboriginal women and more specifically the issue of sexually transmitted infections such as HIV/AIDS.

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