HIV and STIs go untreated in more than 30% of infected youth: Poll

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About one-third of youth diagnosed with an sexually transmitted disease or HIV did not seek treatemnt, according to a poll by a charity dedicated to HIV prevention.

The 2024 Sex Lives Report by LetsStopAIDS found 34% of youth diagnosed with an STI or HIV did not receive treatment — an increase from 27% in 2022.

“This year’s findings demonstrate that our current approach to sex education is not working for todays’ youth,” says Shamin Mohamed Jr., founder and president of LetsStopAIDS.

“We need to ensure that young Canadians are equipped with the knowledge and tools necessary for safe and healthy sexual relationships, and this starts with having honest, open and knowledgeable conversations, and enough resources.”

The study also found 70% of sexually active youth who experienced unsafe or uncomfortable sexual encounters involving condom negotiation didn’t seek help. And the same goes for 51% of youth who experienced stealthing (non-consensual condom removal).

While the average age of first-time sexual intercourse is 15, discussions about STI and HIV testing typically occur at age 17, according to the report.

Data also shows a whopping 96% of respondents did not feel familiar with STI and HIV disclosure laws, contributing to Canada’s troubling trend as the only G7 country with rising HIV rates.

The report says 67% of young Canadians have not had health-care providers proactively discuss STI and HIV testing with them.

Conducted March 28-April 9 by Angus Reid, a probability sample of this size — a poll of 1,105 Canadians, ages 18-24n — has a margin of error of 2.9%, 19 times out of 20.

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