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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.
October 18, 2012 by Mike Fazio, Medical Student, University of British Columbia
Articles Reviewed Partners PrEP Study: Baeten JM et al. Antiretroviral prophylaxis for HIV prevention in heterosexual men and women. New England Journal of Medicine. 2012 Aug 2;367(5):399-410. FEM PrEP Study: Van Damme L et al. Pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV infection among African women. New England Journal of Medicine. 2012 Aug 2;367(5):411-22. Purpose of study Pre-exposure…
October 11, 2012 by Dr. Mark Gilbert, Clinical Prevention Services, BCCDC
The provincial annual surveillance report describing trends in HIV and AIDS for 2011 is now available online. In comparison to previous annual surveillance reports, this report provides a greater description of trends by subgroups and aims to provide the context needed to understand not just what the trends are but why they are occurring. A…
September 19, 2012 by Travis Salway Hottes, Epidemiologist
In its evolution over the past century, Neisseria gonorrhoeae (the causative agent of gonorrhea infection) has successively acquired resistance to first-line treatments, including penicillin, doxycycline, and ciprofloxacin. Recent international surveillance data suggest that with time the bacterium may become fully resistant to the current (and only remaining viable) third-generation cephalosporin treatments (cefixime PO and ceftriaxone…
September 13, 2012 by Elaine Jones
BCIT is launching an introductory Sexual Health Rehabilitation course as part of a new Human Sexuality curriculum offered through the Perinatal Specialty Nursing program and School of Health Sciences. For more information: http://www.bcit.ca/health/industry/sexualrehab.shtml
August 27, 2012 by Sarah Callahan, interim Chee Mamuk Program Lead
In 2011 the Chee Mamuk Aboriginal Program, in partnership with the Northern BC First Nations HIV/AIDS Coalition, hosted two leadership Forums for Chief and council members of BC’s North. The goal of the forums was to help participants gain the knowledge, skills and resources they need to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS and hepatitis and…
August 20, 2012 by Travis Salway Hottes, Epidemiologist
Over the past decade we have observed a substantial decrease in new HIV cases in British Columbia. A similar decrease has not, however, occurred among gay, bisexual, and other men having sex with men (MSM). We used provincial surveillance data to evaluate this trend in more detail. Methods: We examined demographic characteristics of individuals having…
August 16, 2012 by Mark Gilbert
Options for Sexual Health is providing a series of regional clinical conferences this fall. Clinical updates and professional development education will be offered on a variety of sexual and reproductive health topics including, RN certified practice, advanced women’s health, pregnancy options, STIs & HIV and more. Nanaimo: September 14 Vancouver: September 22 Prince George: September…
August 10, 2012 by Sarah Fielden, Manager, Provincial Point of Care HIV Testing Program
HIV testing can be intimidating for clients. They may fear: the process of being tested; waiting and worrying about the result; and, of course, the test result itself. As healthcare providers, we often look for ways to ease these fears in our clients and when it comes to HIV testing. Point of care (POC) HIV…
August 7, 2012 by Dr. Mark Gilbert, Physician Epidemiologist
An increase in Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) cases was identified in 2011 in BC. LGV is a sexually transmitted infection and is caused by three types of Chlamydia infection. The clinical presentation of people with LGV includes papules (raised surface or bumps), lesions, and swollen lymph nodes in the genital area. LGV can also cause rectal…