Note to the readers: Report on Sexually Transmitted Infections in Canada: 2012

Note to the readers of the Report on Sexually Transmitted Infections in Canada: 2012

The Centre for Communicable Diseases and Infection Control, Public Health Agency of Canada (the Agency), is pleased to present the 2012 edition of the Report on Sexually Transmitted Infections in Canada. This annual report is intended to provide information on trends in reported cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) to those who are concerned with their public health implications (programs, policy makers, researchers, etc.). The data in this report supersede those presented in earlier editions.

The Report on Sexually Transmitted Infections in Canada is based on surveillance reports submitted to the Agency by provincial and territorial epidemiological units; data are summarized by age, sex, and province/territory (P/T). The report consists of three chapters, each of which highlights the three main nationally notifiable STIs: chlamydia, gonorrhea, and infectious syphilis, with special focus sections within each. Technical notes and explanatory details specific to provincial or territorial surveillance data are presented at the end of the report.

Where relative (percentage) changes in STI rates are presented, calculations were made on unrounded figures. Data were not available for the territory of Nunavut from 2007 to 2012 and thus the population of Nunavut was removed from the denominator when calculating annual rates for these years. At the request of Prince Edward Island (PEI), its data are suppressed in any table presenting P/T specific data where PEI counts are less than 5, as per provincial Chief Public Health Office reporting guidelines.

Any comments and suggestions that would improve the usefulness of future publications are appreciated and should be sent to the attention of the staff of the Centre for Communicable Diseases and Infection Control, Public Health Agency of Canada.