Chlamydia continues to grow in Bas-Saint-Laurent

The number of cases has doubled between 2007 and 2015, which is partly attributable to the increase in the availability of screening, according to the director of public health of the Lower St. Lawrence, Sylvain Leduc.

If the infection has progressed more slowly over the last four years, its prevalence continues to increase.

For three or four years, we have the same screening offer and our statistics continue to grow slowly. We still have a number of the highest reported diseases we have had since we made our compilations.

Bas-Saint-Laurent Public Health Director Sylvain Leduc

Photo: CBC

This increase, which affects more 15-29 year-olds, is however lower in the region than in the rest of the province. <q data-attributes = "{" lang ": {" value ":" fr "," label ":" French "}," value ": {" html ":" The proportion of our population that is 15 -29years is lower than in other regions. It explains a little why our region is less affected, "" text ":" The proportion of our population aged 15-29 is lower than in other regions. It explains a little why our region is less affected "}}" lang = "en">The proportion of our population aged 15-29 is lower than in other regions. It explains a little why our region is less affected, says Mr. Leduc.

A lack of education?

According to the sexologist Marie-Christine Pinel, the abandonment of sex education classes at school in 2001 is not unrelated to this rise in sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The accessibility of pornography on the internet and Tinder-type applications would also have renewed the way of conceiving sexuality.

These applications are like encouraging this relationship to sexuality where we are not in the encounter first, the relationship, the shared intimacy (…). We are in the consumption of sexualityshe says, noting that these relationships do not promote condom use.

It's hard to say, "What do you think about protecting yourself?" When there is no relationship capital between us, when I do not feel safe.

Many groups in the population are abandoning condom use and still have multiple partnersadds Dr. Leduc.

Since sexually transmitted infections are often asymptomatic, the spread can then be fairly rapid.

Sexologist Marie-Christine Pinel (Archives)

Photo: Radio-Canada / Ariane Perron-Langlois

Social responsibility

According to Marie-Christine Pinel, it is imperative to inform young people, from kindergarten, about sexuality, with content that is appropriate to their age. It states that this responsibility must be shared between parents and educators.

We are so scared of gaffing because sexuality has evolved a lot with social networks and the internet. There, we are as overwhelmed and we retire, but we have a responsibility because it has a major impact.

Ms. Pinel adds that more and more young people come to consult her. There is a lack of information, a lack of knowledge that has led them into situations that have put them in trouble. Basically, we could intervene to prevent, she says.

Quebec reinstated sex education classes in schools in September 2018. However, many teachers say they are not well equipped to teach this subject.