The purpose of these two publications is to provide information and reflection on the emergence, extent and progression of STIs and their determinants in Quebec, in order to guide interventions and planning of the resources needed to combat STIs. They are produced annually with funding from the Quebec Ministry of Health and Social Services.
They are aimed at health professionals, associations, stakeholders, community groups and individuals involved in the prevention of STIs.
Key messages
Portrait of STIs in Quebec: year 2022 and projections for 2023
In 2022, a significant increase in the incidence rates of reported cases of gonococcal infection, infectious syphilis, congenital syphilis and lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) was observed. This increase is likely related in part to the increase in the number of tests carried out in Quebec, which had decreased during the pandemic, and likely also to an acceleration of transmission.
Azithromycin resistance in N. gonorrhoeae reached a peak of 44% in 2022. The situation seems under control in Quebec with regard to resistance to cephalosporins of 3e generation, but high prevalences (8-15%) of ceftriaxone resistance have been reported recently in Asia.
The infectious syphilis epidemic is increasingly taking hold among the heterosexual population and is growing in most regions of Quebec. Among women, the rate of reported cases of infectious syphilis was 11 times higher in 2022 than in 2009.
Hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses remain present, warranting continued prevention and intervention efforts. Treatment of hepatitis C, using direct-acting antivirals, is an important advance, and hepatitis B vaccination efforts have yielded significant gains.
The projected rate of reported cases of HBV and HCV infections increased in 2023, particularly the rate of hepatitis C cases in the Montreal region. The increase in rates of gonococcal infection and infectious syphilis also continues in 2023.
HIV infection surveillance program
A 37% increase in new recorded HIV diagnoses was observed between 2019 and 2022, mainly among people born in a country other than Canada.
Among people born in Canada, the number of new diagnoses has declined between 2013 and 2022, particularly in the exposure category of men who have sex with men.
The increase in HIV cases between 2021 and 2022 appears to be linked to the catch-up in screening, which had decreased during the pandemic, and to the migratory influx observed in Quebec during the same period.
Over the years, more new diagnoses are detected at a late stage of infection or without prior detection testing.
To view the publications:
Upcoming Webinar
Join us for a webinar presenting the results of the STI and HIV Surveillance Landscape on October 3 at 11:00 a.m.! The webinar will be recorded. Registration link: Webinar – October 3, 2024
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