Environmental scan of sexual and reproductive health in the atlantic provinces

April 1999

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The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the author anddo not necessarily reflect the official views of Health Canada.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This document was written by Joan M. Campbell, under contract to Health Canada, and guided by Margie Macdonald.

The author appreciates the substantial contributions of many individuals who provided information and advice during the preparation of this document: Chris Archibald, Joan Campbell, Fiona Chin-Yee, Shiliang Liu, Gord Phaneuf, Konia Trouton and Tom Wong of Health Canada; Marc Melanson, Statistics Canada; Hope Beanlands, Debra Keays, Diane MacDonald and Rick Manuel of the Nova Scotia Department of Health; Janet Bryanton, Teresa Hennebery, Jo-ann MacDonald and Lamont Sweet of the Prince Edward Island Department of Health and Social Services; Ivan Brophy, Rachel Roy, Mary Scott and Lynn Swanwick of the New Brunswick Department of Health and Community Services; Ethel Heald, Irene Howlett, Joy Madigan and Faith Stratton of the Newfoundland Department of Health and Community Services; Becky Attenborough, Nova Scotia Reproductive Care Program; Tom Howe, Atlantic First Nations AIDS Task Force; Don Langille, Dalhousie University; Susan Lilley; Cari Patterson; members of the Nova Scotia Roundtable on Youth Sexual Health; and representatives of the 52 sexual and reproductive health organizations who completed questionnaire interviews.

Earlier drafts of the report were reviewed by Fiona Chin-Yee, Ethel Heald, Teresa Hennebery, Susan Lilley, Margie Macdonald, Keith Neuman, Jane Oram, Mary Scott and Lamont Sweet. Their constructive feedback and useful suggestions are gratefully acknowledged.

Questionnaire data were gathered with the assistance of Charline Chase, Liz Garland, Laurie Ann Kightly, Phyllis Price and Mary Simpson. Assistance with documentation and analysis of the data was provided by Mary Ann Martell, Penny Ormsbee and Elmer Wade.

Please feel free to reproduce this document, and to credit the source as follows:

Environmental Scan of Sexual and Reproductive Health in the Atlantic Provinces. 1999. Produced by Joan M. Campbell for the Health Promotion and Programs Branch, Atlantic Regional Office, Health Canada.

Ce document est aussi offert en français sous le titre : Santé sexuelle et génésique dans les provinces de l'Atlantique : Analyse de la conjoncture.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Executive Summary

1. Introduction

2. Sexual and Reproductive Health Status

Measuring Sexual and Reproductive Health Status
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Teenage Pregnancy
Low Birth Weight
HIV/AIDS
Sexual Violence
Infertility
Provincial Sexual Health Profiles
Determining the Critical Issues

3. Sexual and Reproductive Health Initiatives

Scan of Programs and Initiatives in the Atlantic Provinces
Analysis of Sexual and Reproductive Health Activities
Problems Addressed by Organizations in the Scan
Application of Population Health Principles by Organizations in the Scan
Gaps in Activities Surveyed
Strengths in Activities Surveyed
Challenges for Population Health Action

4. Conclusion

Reference Notes

Bibliography

Appendix 1:		Organizations in the Scan and the Issues they Address
Appendix 2:		"Other Issues" Addressed by Organizations in the Scan
Appendix 3:		Provincial Activity Profiles

LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES

Figure 1:		Population Health Framework for Sexual and Reproductive Health
Figure 2:		Rates of Chlamydia and Gonorrhea in the Atlantic Provinces and Canada, 1995 to 1997
Figure 3:		Pregnancy Rates Among 15-19 Year Olds in the Atlantic Provinces and Canada, 1984 and 1994
Figure 4:		Percentage of AIDS Cases in the Atlantic Provinces and Canada to June 30, 1998 by Exposure Category
Figure 5:		Sexual Assaults in the Atlantic Provinces and Canada, 1987 to 1997
Figure 6:		Sexual Health Outcomes and Life Stages Addressed by Organizations in the Scan
Figure 7:		Analytic Framework for the Scan of Sexual and Reproductive Health Initiatives
Figure 8:		Overview of Activities Addressing Sexual and Reproductive Health in the Atlantic Provinces

Table 1:

Number of Positive HIV Test Reports and Year of Test, 1982 to 1998

Please note that this document was published by Health Canada prior to the announcement of the establishment of the Public Health Agency of Canada on September 24, 2004. Any reference to Health Canada should be assumed to be to the Public Health Agency of Canada.