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Share valentines, not STIs

Mon, Feb 13, 2023


February 13th – 17th is Sexual and Reproductive Health Awareness Week in Canada. This yearly campaign recognizes the importance of sexual health as a key part of our overall well-being, including our abilities to develop healthy relationships and express who we are.

This week, Algoma Public Health (APH) is promoting knowledge, conversation, and resources to improve community health. “It may be uncomfortable to talk about sexually transmitted infections, but they are more common than people think, including here in the Algoma District,” said Jonathon Bouma, Manager of Infectious Diseases at APH.


Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) continue to be a significant public health concern. STIs including chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis remain present here in the Algoma district. “While conversations around other infectious diseases like COVID-19 or influenza were more common throughout the pandemic, STIs didn’t disappear. That’s why it is important to have a conversation and be aware of their presence and transmission in our communities,” said Bouma.


Chlamydia

  • Chlamydia remains the most common reportable bacterial STI in Algoma. In 2022, the rate of chlamydial infections was 226 cases per 100,000 people. 

Gonorrhea

  • Cases of gonorrhea have increased in the past two years in Algoma. In 2022, the rate of gonorrheal infections was 75 cases per 100,000 people, nearly five times higher than in 2020.

Syphilis

  • Cases of infectious syphilis have also increased in the past two years in Algoma, to a 10-year high in 2022. In 2022, the rate of syphilis infections was 13 per 100,000, nearly five times higher than in 2020.

Many STIs have few or no noticeable symptoms. Seeking routine testing at least once a year is a great way to check in on our health. You can contact your health care provider to access STI testing or contact the Algoma Public Health Sexual Health Information Line at 705-541-7100 or 1-800-726-0398 to learn how to access sexual health services in your community.

You can join the conversation as we share resources and information across our social media channels this week - @AlgomaHealth on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

 

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