Grant: Planning and Dissemination Grant - Institute Community Support

Syphilis rates are rising in Canada, particularly in the prairie provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. The national rate of infectious syphilis increased from 5.1 per 100,000 people in 2011 to 30 per 100,000 in 2021. In the Prairie Provinces rates increased by over 400% in Alberta and Manitoba, with Saskatchewan seeing a staggering 1346% increase. Early congenital syphilis cases rose significantly from 7 in 2017 to 96 in 2021. Additionally, Saskatchewan reported 10 cases of congenital syphilis in 2020, which resulted in 2 stillborn babies. The Ayaangwaamiziwin Initiative, meaning Carefulness and Preparedness in Cree, aims to address this crisis by enrolling 10,000 people in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba to test, treat and connect them to care for HIV and syphilis. The initiative, launching autumn 2024, will involve clinics, community organizations and Indigenous agencies, with health navigators providing outreach and connections to clinics. Health navigators, who are trained community members, will conduct point-of-care testing for HIV and syphilis, making it easier for people to be tested and treated. The initiative aims to reach underserved and undiagnosed populations, particularly those who may avoid traditional healthcare due to past negative experiences. A planning meeting will bring together health navigators, community members, healthcare professionals, and researchers to discuss the initiative, share success stories, and participate in capacity building activities. The meeting will also explore expanding the initiative into northern communities in Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut. The expected outcomes of this meeting include better community engagement, improved testing and care models, strengthened networks, and the creation of training modules for health navigators. This initiative aims to reduce the rates of HIV and syphilis in the Prairie Provinces and beyond, ultimately improving health outcomes for underserved communities.