Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Youth in Canada

Running head: ASSESSMENT TASK 2
ASSESSMENT TASK 2
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ASSESSMENT TASK 2
Introduction
According to Statistics Canada (2018) there are 9 million youth across the country
who are aged between 15 to 34 years. Of them 23% consists of youth between 15 to 19 years,
25% of 20 to 24 years, 26% of 25 to 29 years and 26% of 20 to 34 years ( Statistics Canada
2018). The following report aims to analyse the sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among
the youth in Canada. This will be followed by Canadian policy and prevention framework for
the effective prevention of STIs among the youth. At the end the report will propose
interventions for the bringing positive changes in prevention of STIs.
Youths in Canada
Youth represents one-quarters of the country's population. During the tenure of 2006
to 2016, the numbers of youth who are aged between 25 to 34 years have increases and youth
between 15 to 19 years have decreased. Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary in Canada contain
majority minority group youth. The senses data also reports that about 4 to 10% of the
Canadian youth considers themselves to be either bi-sexual or homosexual and the percentage
is higher within women (Statistics Canada 2018).
Significant health issues affecting population group
Canadian Centre of Substance Use and Addiction (2019) highlighted that Canadian
youth between the age group of 15 to 24 years are the victims of substance abuse. The United
Nations Children’s Fund Office of Research in 2013 revealed that Canadian youth accounts
for highest rate of Cannabis addiction. Thus, the youth of Canada is under health turmoil
influenced by modifiable risk factors. Apart from substance abuse, the youths of Canada are
also the victims of obesity and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Sexually Transmitted Disease among the Youth: Most significant health Issue
The homo-sexuality or bisexuality along with increased tendency of substance abuse
leads to high incidence of sexually transmitted disease (STD) (Choudhri et al. 2018). The
report published by Statistics Canada (2014) highlighted that Chlamydia, caused by the
bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis is the frequently reported STD among the Canadian youth.
Chlamydia if left untreated can lead to the development of reactive arthritis in both the sexes
along with infertility, chronic pelvic pain, inflammatory pelvic disease and ectopic pregnancy
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ASSESSMENT TASK 2
in females and epididymo-orchitis in males. According to the Canadian Health Measures
Survey conducted during 2009 to 2011, the overall prevalence of chlamydial infection in the
urine of the young Canadian is high. However, none of the respondents reported for being
diagnosed with an STD. Choudhri et al. (2018) reported that reported cases of Chlamydia has
increased across Canada further during the tenure of 2010 to 2015. Quebec reports highest
incidence of Chlamydial infection among the youth. The infection rate are higher in females
than males as females are more susceptible tin the development of the disease lack of proper
access of the healthcare is another reason behind high Chlamydia infection among Canadian
youth (female).
Apart from Chlamydia, Gonorrhea is the next reported sexually transmitted illness
(STI) among the Canadian youth. between 2005 to 2014, the reported cases of gonorrhea has
increased by 61.2% from 28.4 to 45.8 per 100,000. The rates are higher in males in
comparison to females. The vulnerable age group of gonorrhea infection is males between 20
to 29 years and female between 15 to 24 years. Syphillis occurrence has also increased
among the Canadian youth with percentage recording 95.1% during the tenure of 2005 to
2014, from 3.4 to 6.6 per 100,000 (Government of Canada 2014). Choudhri et al. (2018)
reported that Neisseria gonorrhoeae leads to the development of gonorrhea is the second
most reported STI in Canada after Chlamydia. The disease is asymptomatic in females and
symptomatic in males. The symptoms include painful urination, vaginal discharge, and
swollen testicles. Gonorrhea also increases the infectiousness along with susceptibility
towards HIV in the genital tract.
Figure: STI of Canadian
(Source: Government of Canada 2014)
Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research (2019) reported that 2,165 people are newly
infected with HIV in Canada per year 10 out of six individuals are young adults and are
newly infected with HIV each day. It is estimated that one person is infected with HIV in
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