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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.
January 16, 2020 by BCCDC Public Health Laboratory
As of January 13, 2020, the BCCDC Public Health Laboratory (BCCDC PHL) will implement automatic hepatitis C (HCV) RNA nucleic acid testing (NAT) reflex testing for all new HCV cases. This is a change from the previous two-step process that required a follow-up EDTA blood sample which often delayed time to diagnosis. Under the new…
September 25, 2019 by Heather Pedersen, Online Sexual Health Services Manager, BC Centre for Disease Control; Devon Haag, Digital Public Health Manager, BC Centre for Disease Control
GetCheckedOnline (GCO), Canada’s first internet-based testing service for sexually-transmitted and blood-borne infection (STBBI), celebrates its 5 year anniversary this month. GetCheckedOnline lets individuals test for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV and hepatitis C without needing to see a doctor or nurse in person. Through the GCO website, people can create their own laboratory requisitions, visit a…
September 6, 2019 by Brenna Robert, BC Patient Safety and Quality Council Student Intern
Approximately 5.9% of the population in British Columbia identify as Indigenous, however data from the BCCDC STI Clinics show that less than 1% of clients identify as Indigenous when accessing services. Making Space is a Quality Improvement project initiated by BCCDC Clinical Prevention Services (CPS) that seeks to improve the appropriateness and accessibility of clinical…
March 7, 2019 by YouthCO
A group of trans, non-binary and Two Spirit youth (including Indigenous youth) at YouthCO have created a workshop aimed at service providers and clinicians about providing gender affirming care to youth most impacted by Hep C (and HIV). We are able to offer this workshop to providers across BC, and currently have a workshop scheduled…
July 10, 2018 by Terri Buller-Taylor, Research Manager, Hepatitis Education Canada
Background In British Columbia, a lack of engagement is contributing to a rising tide of morbidity and mortality associated with hepatitis (HCV) infection and could impact Canada’s goal to eliminate HCV by 2030.[1] In 2011-12, only 32% of people aware of their infection received liver-related monitoring or care. Another 13% of those affected were not…
June 27, 2018 by James Connell, Research Coordinator, Clinical Prevention Services, BCCDC
Background Researchers at the BC Centre for Disease Control are looking for men to take part in a study looking at syphilis Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), a daily pill in the form of doxycycline that may help prevent syphilis infection. Syphilis rates have reached epidemic levels and the majority of those affected are men who have…
May 23, 2018 by Zoey G. and Mil R., volunteer co-facilitators, QMUNITY (BC’s Queer, Trans & 2-Spirit Resource Centre)
What is Bifocus? Bifocus is a Vancouver-based, peer-led social and support group for bisexuals and non-monosexuals. Non-monosexual may be defined as anyone who experiences their sexuality or attraction as connected to people of more than one gender. This attraction may not necessarily be at the same time, in the same way, or to the same…
April 10, 2018 by Yaz Shariff, Treatment Outreach Coordinator, Positive Living Society of BC
Positive Living BC is proud to announce the opening of our new dental clinic, located at 1101 Seymour Street in Vancouver. Our dentists are here to serve the unmet dental needs of people living with HIV and members of the broader community alike. Historically located on the corner of Seymour and Helmcken Street in downtown…
January 24, 2018 by Devon Haag, Manager, Online Sexual Health Services, Clinical Prevention Services, BCCDC, and Sarah Chown, Executive Director, YouthCO
Background British Columbia has been in the midst of a syphilis epidemic for several years. Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM) continue to be the most affected population. In response, the Clinical Prevention Services Division (CPS) at BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) led the development of a provincial syphilis…
March 8, 2017 by Heather Pedersen, Research Coordinator, University of British Columbia, and Gina Ogilvie, Canada Research Chair (Global control of HPV related cancer), Professor (UBC), Assistant Director (Women's Health Research Institute), Senior Scientist (BCCDC)
Background Cervical cancer is entirely preventable through vaccination, screening, and early treatment. However, this disease remains a leading cause of death in sub-Saharan Africa, where HIV rates are also high. Women living with HIV (WHIV) are a priority population for cervical cancer screening because human papillomavirus (HPV) infection will progress more often and quickly to…