HIV awareness up, cases down in northern Sask.

Irvine said around 10 years ago there was an average of five new cases a year on and off reserve in northern Saskatchewan. From around 2011-2013 that number increased to about 17.

“We had really intensified our testing and encouraged increased testing over the last couple years,” Irvine explained, “so the peak might have been a result of that extra testing that was done.”

In the last few years the numbers of new cases have been decreasing. While Irvine didn’t have the numbers from this year, he expected those numbers to continue to drop.

“More and more people are engaged in care and being provided treatment with antiretroviral medications. Having people on treatment reduces the risks of transmission as well.”

Irvine also attributes some of the decline to the implementation of harm reduction programs, which provide clean needles in exchange for used ones. He said there is also more HIV testing and a general awareness of available programs.

While there may be an improvement, every new case is one the northern health authorities don’t want to see.

An HIV awareness initiative was launched across the north in September. Irvine said the northern regions have posters for HIV awareness, t-shirts, and an app available on their website that provides information on the disease and where to get tested.

In addition to information, Irvine said it is important to remove the stigma around HIV.

“I think the big thing is that HIV can occur in any community and that it can affect us all, or all our families.” said Irvine. “So the idea of encouraging testing and encouraging people to have access to care is important.

“We all need to be aware of the concern and be aware that we can play a role in reducing the risk for HIV.”

World AIDS Day is Dec. 1 and also launches the start of National Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week.

jsperling@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jnsperling

by Jill Sperling

HIV awareness up, cases down in northern Sask.

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