Lack of information, fear of judgment lead to high syphilis numbers.

Calgary

Of all reported cases of syphilis in Alberta last year, 32 percent were among the Aboriginal population according to an Alberta Health and Wellness report.

"We found the figures really surprising," said Amanda Chapman, communications analyst for AIDS Calgary. In 2008, 27 percent of syphilis cases occurred among First Nations people, and five percent among Metis, which is highly disproportionate to the general population.

"The big number that really stood out to us, when they break it down by gender, is if you look at all of the female cases of syphilis. Forty-two percent of those were women who identified as First Nation."

Chapman said marginalized populations are always more at risk because either they do not have the information they need to prevent sexually transmitted diseases or because regular check ups and testing are not part of their healthcare routine.

"It may be that people don't have access to health care, but most often," Chapman said, "people may have other issues in their life and they don't want to be judged. There is no easy answer to those problems, but it's important that we talk about them openly so change can happen."

Syphilis is easily curable with antibiotics, and yet, Chapman said, many individuals are still not diagnosed until the illness has settled into the body. "It's dangerous. People are much more susceptible to becoming infected with HIV when they have syphilis; it wears down your immune system. It's a big concern for us." The Alberta report showed that in 2008, 15 out of the 218 cases in Alberta were syphilis-HIV coinfections.

"Lots of people don't know that you can get syphilis even if you use a condom. Lots of people don't know that they have it. Education is so important, being aware of your body, and a willingness to get tested."

While the provincial government has launched campaigns targeted at the general heterosexual population and gay men, Chapman said it's difficult to reach Aboriginal people. "Our client services people do work with the various health units on different promotions, so we have involvement at the community outreach level, but frequently we come to stumbling blocks. We see that the Aboriginal population is an issue, but there is no obvious way for us to get that information out."

One of the problems is that the Alberta Health and Wellness data was broken down by health region, but the statistics for the Aboriginal population did not indicate if individuals usually reside on reserve or in urban centers. The study also could only take those people into consideration who were tested and who self identified as Aboriginal. "We are definitely limited by the data," said Chapman, "but the numbers are worrisome."

The key message is that syphilis can be treated.

"If you are a woman, if you are pregnant, if you get tested and have proper pre-natal care, they can take care of it," said Chapman.

Syphilis is caused by a microscopic organism called Treponema pallidum. This worm-like organism infects people by burrowing into the moist mucous membranes of the mouth or genitals.

The illness has four distinct phases and can eventually lead to blindness, deafness, heart disease, and various brain disorders and mental diseases.

In the first stage, there will be a painless sore at the point of sexual intercourse. "If you see that sore, don't just write it off, go get tested," said Chapman.

BY BERNADETTE FRIEDMANN-CONRAD

Sweetgrass Writer