In 2018, nearly 6,200 people discovered their HIV status, a decrease compared to 2017 (-7%). More than half (52%) of them had never been tested for HIV before. One in four patients has been diagnosed at an early stage, “nevertheless, the number of people diagnosed at an advanced stage of the infection shows that efforts to raise awareness about HIV testing must be continued” read the latest report. Weekly epidemiological bulletin.
5.8 million screenings in 2018
“In terms of screening, although the annual HIV screening activity carried out by all public and private laboratories in France has increased in recent years, from around 5.2 million serologies carried out in 2013 to 5 , 8 million in 2018, it is still necessary to progress. By the end of the year, a week of screening for HIV, other STIs and viral hepatitis will be held in each region “announced the Minister of Health , Agnès Buzyn, a few weeks ago.
Testing is indeed a major stake in the fight against HIV because it makes it possible to diagnose infected people as soon as possible after their infection, so that they can quickly benefit from antiretroviral treatment and care. This is why screening at least once in the life of anyone aged 15 to 70 and repeated screening of people belonging to the most exposed populations are currently recommended in France.
One in four screening in Ile-de-France
According to the BEH, the number of HIV serologies carried out in the 4,227 medical biology laboratories identified in 2018 is estimated at 5.8 million, an increase of 3% compared to 2017. With 1.47 million serologies performed in 2018, Île-de-France concentrates a quarter of the national screening activity.
The presence of clinical signs or an evocative biological assessment remains the first reason for carrying out the test allowing the diagnosis. Then come the systematic assessment and so-called “oriented” screening (by the presence of a sexually transmitted infection or viral hepatitis, for example).
The rates of seropositivity are heterogeneous on the French territory: they are much higher in the French departments of America, in particular in Guyana. In mainland France, Ile-de-France is the most affected region. However, with a drop of 16% in new diagnoses of HIV infection observed in Paris.
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