Time and Location:
Best Western Plus, Cookville
Monday, October 17, 2016
1:00 to 4:30
Snacks provided
Register online by clicking here.
Workshop Description
This workshop is intended to raise basic awareness of the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) and HIV biology in the context of co-infection including transmission, testing, disease progression and treatment. Both HIV and HCV are stigmatized illnesses with an overlap of populations that are infected/affected. HIV has a higher profile so there is a tendency to downplay the seriousness of HCV infection. In addition to providing updated information on HIV/HCV, the workshop will assist frontline service providers to help clients address dual diagnosis, dual stigma and maintaining good health while living with co-infection.
Presenter
Thomas Egdorf joined CATIE (see below) in October of 2011 as a Regional Health Education Coordinator – Atlantic Region. Diagnosed with HIV in 1993, Thomas has held a variety of positions at several local, provincial and national AIDS Service Organizations in Ontario. Highlights have been: creating the Positive Leadership Development Institute, developing and delivering a variety of educational workshops and trainings for PHAs, Front-line service providers and volunteers. In 2010 Thomas was inducted into the Ontario AIDS Network Honour Roll for Leadership.
CATIE is Canada’s source for up-to-date, unbiased information about HIV and Hepatitis C. CATIE connects people living with HIV or Hepatitis C, at-risk communities, healthcare providers and community organizations with the knowledge, resources and expertise to reduce transmission and improve quality of life. CATIE is funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada and other agencies. (Learn more at www.catie.ca)
HIV/AIDS
“For over 30 years, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) have been serious public health concerns for Nova Scotia, Canada, and the entire world. HIV/AIDS has grown into a global pandemic infecting and affecting millions of individuals. While the overall reported incidence of new HIV infections and AIDS diagnoses have decreased, the virus continues to spread, particularly among marginalized populations. Factors like stigma, discrimination, living in rural/remote areas, and poverty help explain why some communities and individuals are more strongly affected by HIV and have more difficulty accessing prevention, testing, treatment and support services. There is still no cure or vaccine for HIV/AIDS”
From “Review of Nova Scotia’s Strategy on HIV/AIDS: Looking Back and Moving Forward” written by the Nova Scotia Advisory Commission on AIDS. The full report can be viewed using this link: http://novascotia.ca/aids/documents/Review-of-Nova-Scotia-Strategy-on-HIV-AIDS-Full-Report.pdf
There were 809 diagnoses in Nova Scotia at the end of 2014.
HCV
An estimated 4,252 people were living with HCV in Nova Scotia in 2007. In 2014, 323 cases of Hepatitis C were reported in Nova Scotia (rate of 34.4/100,000 population), an increase from the two previous years. The national rate of reported hepatitis C cases in 2013 was 29.5/100,000 population (5). For 2013, the Nova Scotia rate (30.6/100,000 population) was slightly higher compared to the national rate. In that year, the Cumberland Health Authority (CHA) had the highest rate of hepatitis C compared to the other DHAs with a rate of 111.4/100,000 population (Figure 5). Cumberland Health Authority has the largest federal correctional facility in Nova Scotia and inmates are tested for hepatitis C on admission to the institution which influences the high rate in this area.