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Safe sex an important message
Stats say STIs on the rise and rural communities at risk

Katherine Hudson
Northern News Services
Published Saturday, February 19, 2011

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES

There are a medley of reasons why some youth don't practise safe sex, stemming from personal choices, to lack of information or being unsure about methods of protection.

NNSL photo/graphic

A 2010 Statistics Canada study revealed about 45 per cent of sexually active youth between the ages of 15 and 24 do not use condoms. - NNSL file photo

According to Statistics Canada, youth are frequently at the highest risk of infection and those in Northern health regions encounter barriers to sexually transmitted infection testing and treatment such as geographic inaccessibility and limited hours of operation of clinics.

Jennifer Schmidt, principal of Angik School in Paulatuk, said sexual education at the school only started being offered in 2008 at the same time as a health education awareness program where students relayed the message of safe sex to their peers.

"For a lot of our kids, they had never had the discussions before, getting all of the information that they needed ... When we started teaching it, we started to realize 'Wow, these kids really do have the myths and all sorts of ideas about what's safe and what's not," said Schmidt.

For two years, the school ran the HEART program, or Health Education Awareness and Response Team, comprised of junior high students interested in dealing with health related concerns that affect Paulatuk. The students developed a colouring book and video, explaining to the community the dangers of HIV and Hepatitis C, as well as how to prevent the spread of these infections.

"The biggest thing for us is: any time you watch a video or read an article or get a pamphlet it kind of comes in one ear and out the other. The kids drew the pictures and developed (the colouring book) so they had that mental representation of what it means."

The program is no longer offered because the teacher leading the program moved away and there is a lack of funding but Schmidt said she would definitely be willing to start the program again.

She added, although she doesn't know if all youth in the community are having safe sex, she knows the program was a step forward in getting important information across.

"It was very powerful. If the opportunity was out there again, I would love to get a teacher on board, get funding and get it going again," she said.

A 2010 Statistics Canada study revealed about 45 per cent of sexually active youth between the ages of 15 and 24 do not use condoms. The survey also stated that since 1997, the rates of STIs have risen in Canada. Between 1997 and 2007 for example, the number of reported cases of gonorrhoea cases rose more than 120 per cent.

In the NWT, the numbers paint a similar picture with reported cases of chlamydia jumping almost 100 per cent from 2000 to 2010 and the total number of incidence rates of STIs in the territory almost doubling as well, according to the Department of Health and Social Services.

Dr. Jean Shoveller, professor at the School of Population and Public Health at the University of British Columbia, focuses some of her research on the impact of gender, culture and place on youth health. She said through her work, she is finding different ways the health care system can change to accommodate the needs of young people.

"It's challenging to be 16 or 17 and living in a small rural and/or Northern community and face various challenges to really enjoying optimal service," she said.

She said after talking with many clinicians, nurses, service providers and young people in northern and rural areas of British Columbia, issues that were constantly on the radar included having clinic hours that matched the lives of young people such as evenings and weekends, ensuring a private environment for patients even if simply with a curtain or frosted glass and having a gender-friendly waiting room.

"Some are very pink or girly, not welcoming to young men. Around six per cent of people who show up at clinics for STI testing are young men. Imagine the missed opportunity of preventing onward transmission of STIs," she said.

She also said clinics that are conveniently located make it easier for youth to visit.

"Right now a lot is being worked on like online risk assessment, self-testing STI kits. These things are happening all over the place. There's a huge mix that needs to happen in terms of providing service in this area. It can't just be the same old same old."

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