“For HIV, knowing your serological status means accessing treatments and their preventive effect as soon as possible”, recalls Public Health France, which has just published the update of surveillance data for HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). ), on the occasion of World AIDS Day, December 1.
But as health authorities point out, due to the pandemic, the number of screenings and new diagnoses decreased in 2020, with the consequence of a possible delay in diagnosis and access to antiviral treatments and a greater circulation of these infections.
14% less screening
The number of discoveries of HIV seropositivity in 2020 was estimated at 4856, i.e. a decrease of 22% compared to 2019. With 5.2 million HIV serologies carried out by medical biology laboratories, the HIV screening activity, which had increased between 2013 and 2019, decreased by 14% between 2019 and 2020. could also be due to a lower exposure to HIV linked to social distancing measures” explains Florence Lot, from the infectious diseases department of Public Health France.
In 2020, 30% of HIV infections were discovered at an advanced stage of infection, which constitutes a loss of opportunity in terms of individual care and a risk of HIV transmission to partners before starting antiretroviral treatment. .
Less STI screening too
A drop in screening was also observed in 2020 for three bacterial sexually transmitted infections (Chlamydia trachomatis infections, gonorrhea and syphilis) of around 6% in the private sector and more markedly in free information, screening centers and diagnosis (CeGIDD), around 30%, due to partial or total closures during the 1st confinement This drop in screening led to a decrease in the number of diagnoses, in particular for Chlamydia trachomatis infections (-31% vs -18% for syphilis and -13% for gonorrhea).
In this context, Public Health France is rebroadcasting its campaign “Living with HIV is first of all living” which aims in particular to raise awareness of the preventive effect of antiretroviral treatment (TasP). “By promoting better knowledge of the reality of life with HIV, this campaign is also a lever for encouraging screening” emphasizes Public Health France.
Source : Weekly Epidemiological Bulletin (BEH) of November 30, 2021
Read also :
- 38% of HIV infections due to unaware HIV positive people
- HIV patients are more likely to develop a severe form of covid-19
- AIDS: a quarter of young people say they are poorly informed
- AIDS: the life expectancy of patients has increased by 10 years
