Saskatchewan recorded a hepatitis C rate of 38.3 cases per 100,000 population, ranking second to Manitoba among Canadian provinces and territories and well above the national rate of 19.7, according to a 2021 Government of Canada report cited by health officials. To combat these elevated public health metrics, the Saskatchewan Health Authority partnered with the Prince Albert Salvation Army on Tuesday afternoon to host an annual Hepatitis C Awareness Day featuring on-site testing and educational outreach.
Addressing High Provincial Rates Through Community Access
Provincial health officials emphasize that expanding on-site testing is vital for reaching individuals outside traditional clinical settings. Dr. Ahmed Faress, a medical health officer with the Saskatchewan Health Authority, noted that Saskatchewan’s infection rates remain a significant regional concern.
“We know we have higher rates in Saskatchewan compared to the Canadian average,” Dr. Faress said, explaining that mobile and community events help improve access to care. “It’s also an opportunity for us, by doing these events, to meet people out in the community, be able to offer the education for them there and also offer on site testing to kind of help improve access to care, to finding out if you have hepatitis C and hopefully for anyone who needs it to be able to connect them with treatment.”
Debunking Myths and Expanding Generational Education
Hepatitis C is a viral infection that causes liver inflammation and damage, spreading primarily through sharing needles, unsafe medical or tattoo procedures with poor sterilization, or sexual contact. Paulette Martin, regional HIV strategy coordinator for the Saskatchewan Health Authority and a registered nurse, stressed the importance of updating educational messaging across different age groups.
“We’re trying to make sure that older generations are educated in that [condoms] are not only to prevent pregnancies but also to protect your sexual health through the long term,” Martin said. She pointed out that individuals born between 1945 and 1975 have experienced an increase in liver cancer rates, often remaining unaware that past vulnerable activities could mean they have lived with hepatitis C for decades.
Overcoming Stigma Through Community Partnerships
According to Hepatitis Education Canada, stigma is one of the barriers many fail to overcome when it comes to testing. Dr. Faress stated that normalizing routine screening helps integrate sexual health into everyday wellness conversations.
Martin praised the ongoing collaboration with local organizations, highlighting the Prince Albert Salvation Army as an essential partner in addressing provincial sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBI). “What we’re finding is that with our increased STBBI rates provincially, the more we provide community support and that we all work together, that is one way of combating our high STBBI rates,” Martin said.
Following successful turnout metrics at previous mobile clinics—including a June event where staff engaged over 80 people—the Saskatchewan Health Authority plans to host another community testing event in August.
Did You Know? Saskatchewan reported the second-highest hepatitis C rate in the country at 38.3 cases per 100,000 population, trailing only Manitoba, according to federal data.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is hepatitis C spread?
Hepatitis C is spread through sharing needles, unsafe medical or tattoo procedures utilizing poor sterilization methods, or through sexual contact, according to health officials.
Is hepatitis C treatable?
Yes, Dr. Faress noted that community outreach efforts specifically aim to debunk misconceptions, stating that “people might not know it is treatable.”
Where can individuals get tested for hepatitis C?
Individuals can request testing through their family physician, other healthcare providers, or at temporary community-based screening events hosted by the Saskatchewan Health Authority and local partners like the Salvation Army.
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