Yellowknife, N.W.T. - For the first time in a long time, the rate of some sexually transmitted diseases in the NWT is on a downward trend.

Numbers released by the Department of Health and Social Services on April 18th showed a drop in the rates for both chlamydia and gonorrhea, two of the more common STIs in Canada.

The acting chief public health officer, Doctor Kami Kandola said part of the credit for the reduction has to go to a conference held a few years ago which dealt with sexual health issues.

"We developed a document which was a strategic document looking at social marketing on sexual health issues," she said.

Kandola said that has helped decrease the rates significantly as has the hiring of a sexual health co-ordinator.

She also said there has been a more aggressive approach to dealing with people who have come in contact with either infection.

"If you are able to treat the partner, treat the patient who is infected and all other contacts, it can reduce further spread,” she said. “I feel that that information and also the raised awareness on how to protect yourself against STIs, that combination could lead to a significant drop."

The rate of gonorrhea in the NWT was down nearly 53 per cent from 2008 to 2011.

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