By Bryan Eneas

Saskatchewan’s HIV rates return to over twice the national average

Dec 1, 2016 | 4:00 PM

In lieu of AIDS awareness week, the government of Saskatchewan has compiled its stats from last year and released its annual report on HIV in Saskatchewan.

The province’s HIV rates are now well over double the national average which is 5.8 people per 100,000. Saskatchewan sits at a 13.9 per 100,000 rate, a jump of over four points from 2014.

Last year brought about increased testing for HIV, which led to more newly diagnosed cases. In June, the Saskatchewan HIV strategy evaluation indicated that system improvements and increased resources positively impacted patient care and outcomes, according to the report.

“As we continue to expand access to testing, treatment, and care, we expect to see our incidence of HIV increase,” the report reads.

2015 saw three newborns infected with HIV. This is something which has not happened since 2010, and three is the highest number in a single year since 2007, when four cases were reported. The year also saw the highest number of newborns delivered to HIV-positive mothers at 43, since the statistic was first reported in 2011.

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In 2015, male cases of HIV were almost double the amount female cases. One-hundred of 160 new cases were male.

A total 160 new cases of HIV were reported, a 43 per cent increase over 2014, when 112 were reported. Sixty-one per cent of the new cases self-reported intravenous drug use, which is a substantial 12 per cent increase from 2014.

Saskatoon, and the Prince Albert Parkland Health Regions reported the greatest increases in case counts, according to the report. Prince Albert reported 50 new diagnoses in 2015 where Saskatoon reported 58.

As of 2016, $23.3 million has been provided in additional resources through the HIV Strategy, which was introduced in 2010. This additional funding has helped in bringing over 30 full time positions to increase care for HIV/AIDS.

Bryan.Eneas@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @BryanEneas