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By Jaryn Vecchio

Health Conference

NITHA raising awareness of sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections as numbers increase

Feb 23, 2024 | 12:00 PM

The Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority (NITHA) is once again trying to raise awareness of Sexually Transmitted and Blood Borne Infections (STBBI).

The organization held its annual conference this week in Prince Albert where health care professionals from northern First Nations communities were invited to learn more about the ever-growing numbers of different diseases.

This includes HIV, Hepatitis B and C, syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea.

Dr. Nnamdi Ndubuka, the Medical Health Officer for NITHA, told paNOW the main message they continue to try and get across is that these diseases are treatable.

“We encourage everyone to [get tested], especially those who engage in high-risk sexual behaviour,” he said.

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By getting tested, people will know whether or not they’re positive and need treatment. These people will also know not to engage and any activity that could spread the disease to others.

A lack of willingness to get tested is one of the reasons why these diseases are spreading in northern communities at an alarming rate. Ndubuka explained there’s also a stigma around these illnesses which is stopping people from wanting to find out if they have them.

“All of this tends to impact the diseases spreading,” he said.

The one disease that’s running rampant is HIV. According to Ndubuka, there were 20 positive cases in 2022 across the northern communities. This puts the infection rate at 52 cases per 100,000 people which is nearly three times higher than the provincial average and 11 times higher than the national average.

“We’re also seeing higher numbers of syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea,” added Ndubuka.

Meanwhile, Ndubuka explained this shows that people need to also practice safe sexual habits.

This includes using condoms as much as possible.

—

Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @princealbertnow