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STI updates are blog posts from the BCCDC or our community partners about a variety of sexual health topics. These include program updates, clinical practice changes, new research, events, and more. We will not clutter your inbox with frequent emails, and your email address will not be used for any other purposes.
March 3, 2023 by Maxim Gaudette, Research assistant - Centre de recherche en santé publique (CReSP) , PhD candidate in public health – École de santé publique de l’Université de Montréal
Background Many queer men use gay dating apps such as Grindr, Scruff and Hornet [1], but their impacts on youth are not well understood. To further understand these impacts, we interviewed health professionals who work with young gay, bisexual, trans and queer men (YGBQTM). Summary of research We interviewed 28 health professionals working with YGBTQM in…
December 13, 2022 by Monica Durigon, Nurse Educator, Clinical Prevention Services, BC Centre for Disease Control
What is an HIV self-test? Point of Care (POC) HIV tests, also known as “rapid” HIV tests, screen for HIV antibodies. The first POC HIV test approved by Health Canada is the INSTI® Rapid HIV Test, which has been used in clinics and health care settings for many years. In November 2020, it was approved…
July 7, 2022 by BC Centre for Disease Control, Communications
There is a global outbreak of monkeypox in countries where it is not usually found. Monkeypox cases have been reported in BC with evidence of community transmission (not connected to travel). We are regularly updating information and case counts on this page: bccdc.ca/monkeypox Most cases globally have been in men who identify as having sex with…
March 3, 2022 by Terri Buller-Taylor, Hepatitis Education Canada/Pathways to Care for STBBIs in Prisons, Hepatitis Clinical Prevention Services, BC Centre for Disease Control
You Matter Pathways to STBBI Care – Project Update – March 2022 People who experience incarceration are disproportionately affected by STBBIs, with significantly higher rates of infections such as hepatitis C virus (HCV) among people in prison compared to the overall population. People who have experienced incarceration can also face many difficulties in getting access…
February 10, 2022 by Oralia Gómez-Ramírez (BC Centre for Disease Control, University of British Columbia, CIHR Canadian HIV Trials Network), Mark Gilbert (BC Centre for Disease Control, University of British Columbia), Daniel Grace (University of Toronto)
Background GetCheckedOnline is a comprehensive internet-based testing service for sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBIs) available in select communities in British Columbia (BC), Canada, first implemented in 2014. The Digital Sexual Health Initiative team led by Dr. Mark Gilbert at the BC Centre for Disease Control conducted a study to understand the macro-level structural barriers and facilitators to…
November 29, 2021 by Jason Wong, Associate Medical Director, Clinical Prevention Services, BC Centre for Disease Control
Background HIV prevention continues to be a public health priority in British Columbia (BC). Incidence and prevalence are two measures of disease frequency used to inform our response to the HIV epidemic. Incidence is the number of new infections (both diagnosed and undiagnosed) that occur in an area over a year whereas prevalence is the…
November 26, 2021 by Jay McBain, Senior Practice Lead for STI/HIV, Clinical Prevention Services, BC Centre for Disease Control
Overview This self directed online course, offered by the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC), is intended for Registered Nurses and other health care professionals who offer HIV testing or prevention services in their communities of workplace. The goals of the HIV Testing Online Course are: To provide the foundation for Nurses to competently provide…
November 5, 2021 by Heather Pedersen, Online Sexual Health Manager, BC Centre for Disease Control
Since 2016, SmartSexResource has offered a testing & vaccination reminder service where users can sign up for email or text messages letting them know when to make an appointment for regular STI screening, re-testing, PrEP follow-up, or when to book their next dose of HPV or hepatitis vaccination. As of December 1, 2021, this service…
October 25, 2021 by Sofia Bartlett, Senior Scientist, Clinical Prevention Services, BCCDC
The Annual BC Liver Forum will take place at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver on November 30 and December 1, 2021. The 9th Annual Liver Forum is free to attend, and will be a hybrid meeting which will include in-person sessions, alongside a simultaneous live online stream for those who prefer to participate virtually. The in-person…
October 14, 2021 by Kiran Parmar, Research Assistant and Heather Noga, Research Program Manager at the Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Laboratory, University of British Columbia
Endometriosis is an inflammatory condition where tissue, similar to the endometrial lining, starts growing outside of the uterus. Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 women and an unmeasured number of gender diverse people. Common symptoms include pelvic pain during menstruation, chronic pelvic pain, pain with bowel movements and urination, reduced fertility and abnormal bleeding. Deep dyspareunia,…