As part of a larger project, the UBC Reproductive Infectious Diseases Team is working on sharing information about the rising rates of syphilis in pregnancy in British Columbia. They are hoping to connect with peer engagement/outreach workers who support people who have lived and living experience of substance use/mental health challenges/being underhoused during pregnancy.
They are hosting a small focus group, in partnership with the BCCDC, to gain a better understanding of trauma-informed and culturally safe strategies to share syphilis information with people who are pregnant.
To be eligible for this focus group, participants must be in a peer support worker role at a community-based organization in British Columbia and have at least 1 year of experience in this type of role (not necessarily at the same organization). In addition, participants must work in some capacity with people during pregnancy. There are limited seats in this focus group and not all applicants will be selected to participate.
This focus group meeting will take place in June 2025, be 2 hours in length, and will be held virtually. Honoraria of $35/hour will be offered to all participants for their time.
There may also be future opportunities to provide additional feedback and continue engaging with the team on this project. Participants who choose to continue this work should expect to contribute approximately 10 hours of time between June 2025 and December 2025.
Note: The information shared in the sign-up form and during the focus group will be kept confidential and used to inform knowledge mobilization strategies only. Further information about confidentiality and privacy will be shared with those who are selected to participate. This focus group will be facilitated using a trauma-informed approach and will be a judgement-free space to share your experiences.
If you are interested, please apply using this link: Syphilis Focus Group Opportunity
Syphilis in BC
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI). It is caused by bacteria that can be transmitted by sexual contact. Syphilis infections are common and can be treated with antibiotics.
In British Columbia and across Canada, rates of infectious syphilis have risen significantly in the last 5 years. In particular, the rate of infectious syphilis in females increased by 256% from 2018-2022 in Canada. In the early stages of a syphilis infection (from 3-90 days after exposure), there may be a painless sore on the genitals. In the secondary stage (2-12 weeks after infection), people may experience flu-like symptoms and/or a rash on the hands and feet. Many people may not show any symptoms at all. Without testing, the infection can go unnoticed and progress to later stages of the infection, increasing the risk of serious complications.
If someone has a syphilis infection while they are pregnant, they can pass the infection to their baby. This is called congenital syphilis. Syphilis in pregnancy can be serious and may lead to stillbirth, neonatal death, or long-term complications.
With the increase of syphilis rates in females, the number of cases of syphilis during pregnancy has also increased dramatically during this time. Rates of early congenital syphilis in Canada increased by 599% from 2018-2022.
Congenital syphilis can be prevented with timely diagnosis and treatment. Getting tested for syphilis is done through a blood test. Syphilis is treated with antibiotics – typically an injection of penicillin, which is safe to use in pregnancy. It is recommended that syphilis is treated at least 4 weeks before birth.
In BC, syphilis testing is routinely done as part of standard prenatal bloodwork at the first prenatal visit and at the time of delivery. Outside of prenatal care, anyone can request a syphilis test at any time from a primary care provider, such as a doctor, nurse practitioner, or midwife.
Resources
The resources below were developed by UBC’s Reproductive Infectious Diseases Team to raise awareness of syphilis in pregnancy and promote safe and healthy pregnancies. The resource list is a one-stop shop for syphilis information and locating testing services near you.
- Supporting a Safe and Healthy Pregnancy Resource
- Syphilis Resource List
- Overview of Syphilis in Pregnancy in British Columbia
The resources were co-developed with the BC Association for Aboriginal Friendship Centres, Doulas for Aboriginal Families Grant Program, and Ahasiw Creative.
To connect with the team or have printed copies mailed to you, kindly contact [email protected].
Sign Up to Share your Experience!
If you are interested in participating in a 2-hour focus group, The UBC Reproductive Infectious Diseases Team is looking for peer support workers to share their experience and insights. The aim of this focus group is to:
- Better understand how to engage with people during their pregnancy
- Better understand how to engage with pregnant people from equity deserving communities
- Gain insight into useful knowledge mobilization and awareness activities from a peer worker perspective.
Please feel free to forward this opportunity to others you may know who work in this space.
If you are interested, please apply using this link: Syphilis Focus Group Opportunity