While Alberta is showing progress in slowing sexually transmitted infections, oilsands workers and First Nation communities are considered high risk groups.
The 2010 Annual Report on Notifiable Sexually Transmitted Infections was released by Alberta Health and Wellness on Monday.
“There is a high number of young men (with STI’s) who work in the oilsands area,” said chief medical officer of health, Dr. Andre Corriveau, according to a report by News 880AM.
“We also have several First Nations communities, and the rates are generally higher in most of our Aboriginal communities.”
Health officials plan to step up awareness campaigns in problem areas.
For the province overall, there were 16,298 new cases of STI in Alberta, down from a peak of 17,217 cases in 2009. The 2010 Annual Report on HIV and AIDS in Alberta shows 192 newly diagnosed cases of HIV, as compared to 219 cases in 2009 and 233 cases in 2008.
“I am very encouraged that the good work happening on the ground by our public health officials is starting to pay off,” said Alberta Health and Wellness Minister Fred Horne.
“We know, however, that sexually transmitted infections remain an ongoing and serious public health concern. It is so very important that our health experts continue to work together and that Albertans take precautions so we can bring down STIs even more and sustain these gains into the future.”
Comments
sailormac
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