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An estimated 6,800 women in
Canada were living with HIV infection (including those living with AIDS) at
the end of 1999, a 48% increase from the 1996 prevalence estimate of 4,600.
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Women accounted for 14% of
the prevalent HIV infections in 1999 compared to 11% in 1996. Between 1999 and
2001 the figure rose to about 25%.
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The number of newly infected
women was just below 1,000 cases per year in 1999, 54% of all new HIV
infections among women were attributed to IDU and 46% were attributed to the
heterosexual exposure category.
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The proportion of females
among positive HIV tests varies considerably by age and is highest among
adolescents and young adults. In 2001, females accounted for 44.5% of positive
HIV test reports among those aged 15 to 29 years, an increase from 41% in
2000.
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A small study in Vancouver
indicated that 40% more female IDUs are infected compared to their male
counterparts.
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Among female inmates in a
Quebec prison, 38% reported injecting drugs before they were incarcerated, and
about half of these women had shared needles. Of those who reported drug
injection before going to prison, 11% admitted to injecting drugs during their
incarceration, and most (80%) shared needles.
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Significant numbers of women
compared to men are diagnosed later in the course of their HIV infection often
only through pre-natal screening.
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The reported incidence of HIV
transmission from mother to child almost doubled in the 1990's with over 58 %
of the women coming from countries where HIV is endemic.
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The reported AIDS cases among
Blacks and Aboriginal persons are disproportionate to their representation in
Canada's population. While Blacks represent 2.0% of the population they
represent 8.3% of the AIDS cases in 2000, Aboriginals represent 2.8% of the
population and 9.2% of AIDS cases.
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The gender distribution from
national HIV +reports is significantly different when reviewed from an
ethnicity standpoint. Ratios are 82% male/18% female for Whites, 53% male/47%
female for Aboriginals and 55% male /45% female for Blacks. (The Health Canada
report does not include data from Ontario)
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A 1992 study indicating that
the transmission rate of HIV virus from men to women is ten times that from
women to men. Some authorities now consider that figure low. The contribution
of biological factors increases the risk of transmission in adolescent and
post-menopausal women.
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Current HIV/AIDS services
continue to be dominated by those offered to men, and societal values continue
to equate HIV/AIDS with the male gay community.
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Living with HIV/AIDS
exacerbates the challenges already faced by women with low or no fixed income,
poor family, cultural or societal support, who are often lone parents.
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Only 15% of women compared
with 18% of men have ever been tested for HIV, (31%of women and 41% of men
when ancillary testing of blood donations and for insurance purposes is
included). Significantly smaller numbers of older Canadians (50 +) have ever
been tested for HIV. It is estimated that about 30% of the HIV infected
population is unaware of their infection.
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It is vital that the strain
of HIV virus be correctly identified on diagnosis so that the correct primary
treatment is recommended. The overall prevalence of primary resistance to at
least one anti-retroviral drug is between 4.6-20% and varies by gender and
ethnicity.
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Women, who are often unable
to access condoms or negotiate condom use, need to identify safe and effective
alternatives in HIV prevention. The development and evaluation of potential
and effective microbicides is a public health priority.
