Sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections

Prevention by vaccination of diseases attributable to the Human Papilloma Virus in Québec

The problem of the prevention of diseases attributable to the human papilloma virus (virus du papillome humain) (HPV) extends beyond the field of infectious diseases traditionally prevented by vaccination. This is why the CIQ has followed a different procedure for the preparation of this report by working with a large group of experts, notably from gynaecologists involved with the fight against cancer and from sexually transmitted infectious diseases areas.

The synthesis of facts was done by a writing committee made up of 4 people, following a model developed by Erickson and De Wals (Vaccine, 2005) which is currently the benchmark in this area. This synthesis encompasses all the information available up to August 15, 2007. A broader meeting of the CIQ, with more than 20 experts participating from those areas affected by diseases attributable to HPV, occurred on May 31 and June 1, 2007 in Longueuil. The recommendations outlined in this report, were developed during this meeti…

Infectious diseases surveillance among injection drug users - Epidemiology of HCV from 1997 to 2003 - A retrospective look

SurvUDI is a network for the epidemiological surveillance of human immunodeficiency virus infection among injection drug users. The network was established in 1995, and covers eight districts in Québec, and Ottawa. Individuals who participate report injecting drugs during the six preceding months and are recruited mainly through centres that provide access to sterile injection equipment. A two-part study on hepatitis C (HCV) was appended to the SurvUDI network. This report presents the results of the epidemiological component; the psychosocial component will be discussed in a subsequent report.

Groupe d'étude SurvUDI

Infectious diseases surveillance among injection drug users - Epidemiology of HIV from 1995 to 2004 - Epidemiology of HCV from 2003 to 2004

As of June 30, 2004, 14,773 questionnaires had been administered to 8,964 individuals (Table 1).

Three-quarters of participants are men (6,542/8,964) with an average age of 33. The average age of female participants is 28 (Table 1).

Educational levels are low, with only one in four (269/1,105) participants having completed high school (Table 3; 2003-04 data).

Cocaine is the injection drug most often used (88% of the 8,939 respondents had used cocaine), followed by heroin at 36% (Table 5). Cocaine is also the drug most frequently injected by 75% (6,639/8,897) of participants (Table 9).

Injection drug use varies a lot by region (Table 5). While cocaine is the most pervasive drug in all regions (84-98% of respondents in each region), heroin use is particularly widespread in Montreal (53% of 3,994 respondents), as is dilaudid in Quebec City (10% of 2,420 respondents), non-prescription morphine in Ottawa (35% of 1,367 respondents), and PCP in Saguenay-Lac-…

Groupe d'étude SurvUDI

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infection

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is recognized as one of the most common – if not the most common – sexually transmitted infections. The association between HPV and cervical cancer has also been recognized, while more recently it has been associated with some other types of cancer, primarily those in the genital region.

Our understanding of HPV has advanced considerably in the past decade. In fact, we now speak of human papillomavirus infections since there are roughly 100 viruses of varying pathogenecity. New technologies used for detection are being developed with increasing speed, new treatments are available and research on therapeutic or preventive vaccines continues to show promise.

Nonetheless, there is no doubt that HPV infections are a major public health problem.

Recognizing the magnitude of a public health problem is the first step in prevention. However, it is important to fully understand the various components of this problem in order to ide…