Saskatchewan continues to lead the country when it comes to new per capita HIV cases.
According to the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health, 237 new cases were reported in the province in 2021.
This is an increase of 29% compared to 184 cases in 2020 and the highest in the last five years.
The number of new cases in Saskatchewan is about three times the national average.
Not only is HIV on the rise in the province; Sexually transmitted infections such as syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia are also on the rise.
Dr. Johnmark Opondo, a Saskatchewan Health Authority physician and HIV expert, provided some reasoning as to why Saskatchewan is currently experiencing new infections.
“I think some of the risk factors that make HIV likely to be acquired, such as unsafe needle use or needle sharing or drug use, continue to increase in Saskatchewan,” Opondo said. . “The other way to spread HIV is to have unprotected sex with multiple partners.
“If these two risk factors still continue, then unfortunately our numbers will continue.”
Opondo says more people per capita inject drugs in western Canada than in the east and that the problem has worsened especially in Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
“Living a life of chronic stress, poverty, disillusionment and drug use starts this whole vicious circle,” he said.
“Saskatchewan and Manitoba are very, very similar. And unfortunately, our disease trends are similar. We may be in different stages of the epidemic, but I wouldn’t be surprised if our numbers and the increases you’ve seen in Saskatchewan as well were seen in Manitoba. “
The Ministry of Health is spending $ 5.979 billion to support HIV services across the province.
In January, an HIV self-test initiative was launched to increase access to low-barrier testing. Self-tests are free and kits are available at health centers, pharmacies and other locations in Regina, Saskatoon, Prince Albert, Rosthern, Nipawin, La Ronge, La Loche, Green Lake, North Battleford and Yorkton.
It is hoped that expanding the accessibility of the HIV self-test will directly support people in Saskatchewan who are most at risk for HIV.
Opondo says there is a lot of work to be done to reduce the numbers.
“I think the first thing is that we need to re-involve patients. I think to say that the pandemic (COVID-19) had no impact or to blame the pandemic completely, none of those claims are true,” he said.
“During the years 2010 to 2014, when we actually had a coordinated provincial strategy, that did help our numbers and changed the trend. Therefore, with a closer focus and coordination, I think we can turn the situation around. “
Vidya Reddy, the education and information specialist for South Saskatchewan AIDS Programs (APSS), believes a new approach is needed to curb the rise in infections.
“Unlike the rest of the country, the main driver of HIV infections is substance use by injection,” Reddy said. “Ultimately, we need to make the use of injectable substances and access to safe supplies widespread throughout the province.
“Safe consumption places, education, all these things have to go hand in hand with harm reduction measures.”
APSS is responsible for distributing around one million net needles a year. It also offers community education and outreach sessions, as well as Saskatchewan First Nations schools and communities to promote HIV testing and information.
Reddy says support for harm reduction measures remains a vital aspect in reducing the number of HIV cases occurring in the province.
“There is a burden on the health care system for every person diagnosed with HIV,” Reddy said. “Their use of the health care system is drastically declining with harm reduction interventions.
“It saves health care costs, it saves community costs, it increases security, it reduces contact with the justice system, and it ultimately saves a huge amount of costs to our society by saving lives.”