A Health Surveillance Update on Canadian Children and Youth

AUTHORS:
A. Dalloo, BSc, BA
J. Sutherland, MSc
R. Jordan
S. Shields, MSc
S. Burton
F. McLaughlin, BScN, RN

HIV and Sexual Health

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections, genital chlamydia infections and teen pregnancies each result in important immediate and long-term health consequences for young Canadians. In addition to the effects on these young people, there may also be important health outcomes for their infants. Although children and youth currently account for a small proportion of the total number of reported HIV infections and AIDS cases in Canada, they represent an important aspect of the epidemic that must be addressed. Chlamydia has been the most commonly reported bacterial sexually transmitted disease in Canada since 1991. Furthermore, the reported chlamydia rate in females aged 15-19 years in 1996 was almost 9 times higher than the overall national rate. Finally, teenage mothers experience a higher rate of pregnancy-related complications and their babies have an increased risk of preterm birth, low birth weight and death in infancy. The number of babies born to teenage mothers has been declining over the past two decades. However, an increase in the number of induced abortions during the same time period may explain this decline in live births to teenagers. These three indicators, HIV infection and AIDS, chlamydia and teen pregnancy, illustrate the importance of ensuring optimum reproductive health for all Canadians.

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