Core Indicators for Concentrated / Low-Prevalence Epidemics

Percentage of [most-at-risk population(s)] who received HIV testing in the last 12 months and know the results.

• No national data is available for men who have sex with men.
• In the Ontario Men' Survey a cross-sectional study which recruited 5,080 self-identified gay and bisexual men, 77.7% of men indicated that they had even had an HIV test¹.
• In the M-Track ARGUS studies among MSM in Montreal, the proportion of MSM who reported getting tested within the last 12 months was found to be 39.04%.
• In the I-Track studies conducted in 2003-04 at Regina, Winnipeg, Toronto, Sudbury, Victoria and Edmonton, the proportion of IDUs tested within last 12 months was found to be 57.8%.

Percentage of [most-at-risk population(s)] reached with HIV/AIDS prevention programmes.

Canada does not collect these data.

Percentage of [most-at-risk population(s)] who both correctly identify ways of preventing the sexual transmission of HIV and who reject major misconceptions about HIV transmission.

FOR MSM

People can protect themselves from HIV by avoiding anal sex

People can protect themselves from HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, by using a condom correctly every time they have anal sex

No National level data available.

However, data on two of the questions was collected from MSM as part of M-Track-ARGUS studies in Montreal:

83.6%

51.1%

Percentage of female and male sex workers reporting the use of a condom with their most recent client.

• 80.6% of female and male sex workers aged 15-24 reported using a condom with their most recent client in 2003².

Percentage of men reporting use of a condom the last time they had anal sex with a male partner.

• In the M-Track ARGUS studies among MSM in Montreal, the proportion of MSM who reported using a condom during last anal sex out of those who had anal sex in the last 6 months was found to be 64.6%.

Percentage of injecting drug users who have adopted behaviours that reduce transmission of HIV, i.e., who avoid using non-sterile injecting equipment and use condoms, in the last month.

• In the I-Track studies conducted in 2003-04 in Regina, Winnipeg, Toronto, Sudbury, Victoria and Edmonton, the proportion of IDU who adopted safe behaviours out of those who had sex in the last month and who injected in the last month was found to be 27.7%.

Percentage of [most-at-risk population(s)] who are HIV infected.

• The Ontario Men's Survey asked men to provide a saliva sample. Of all the men in the survey, 6.4% tested HIV positive, but 28.4% of men refused to provide a sample. Of those who provided a sample, 9.4% tested HIV positive³.
• In the M-Track ARGUS studies among MSM in Montreal, the HIV prevalence was found to be 12.4%.
• In the I-Track studies conducted in 2003-04 in Regina, Winnipeg, Toronto, Sudbury, Victoria and Edmonton, the proportion of IDUs infected with HIV was found to be 12.5%.

Percentage of HIV-infected pregnant women receiving a complete course of anti-retro viral prophylaxis to reduce the risk of MTCT

• Out of 145 perinatally HIV-exposed infants born in 2004, 139(96%) received any perinatal ART prophylaxis⁴.

Percentage of young people aged 15 - 24 reporting the use of a condom during sexual intercourse with a non regular sexual partner

• 62.2%⁵ (2003 CCHS) - N.B. only unmarried people were asked this question

• In the Canadian Youth, Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Study ⁶ (2002), 67.1% of survey respondents reported condom use at last sexual intercourse. The survey focused on school-based youth between 12 and 21 years of age.

Percentage of HIV-infected infants born to HIV-infected mothers. Target: 20% reduction by 2005;
50% reduction by 2010

• Out of 145 perinatally HIV-exposed infants born in 2004, 3 (2%) were confirmed to be infected with HIV⁷.

Percentage of population aged 15-24 with comprehensive correct knowledge of HIV/AIDS.

• In the HIV/AIDS Attitudinal Survey (2003) of those 15 years of age and above, 84% responded that unsafe sex can transmit HIV.
• In the same survey, 25% thought HIV could be transmitted by kissing; but only 17% of those under 25 years old thought this.