Pandemic of Covid-19 reduced number of screenings and new HIV HIV-positive diagnoses

The number of HIV status cases fell by 14% compared to the previous year, due to the “decrease in the use of screening, particularly at the first confinement,” says Public Health France.

Le Monde with AFP

In 2020, the number of HIV-positivity discoveries and sexually transmitted (STIs) bacterial infections were down sharply due to a decrease in CVIV-19 pandemic screening, says Tuesday, November 29 , the Public Health Agency France (SPF).

The number of HIV discoveries in 2020 was estimated at 4,856, a 22% decrease from 2019. With 5.2 million HIV serologies carried out by medical biology laboratories, activity. of HIV testing, which had increased between 2013 and 2019, decreased by 14% between 2019 and 2020.

“These data, however, must be interpreted with caution, the CVIV-19 pandemic has resulted in a fall in the participation of health professionals in the various monitoring systems,” the public health agency reports in a statement.

“The decrease in the number of HIV infection diagnoses is mainly explained by the decline in the use of screening in 2020, particularly at the first confinement, explains Florence Lot, the Infectious Disease Directorate of SPF, cited in the Communiqué. It could also be due to lower HIV exposure related to social distancing measures. “

A longer screening, therefore more risky

Consequence of this decline in screening: a possible delay in diagnosis and access to antiviral treatments whose preventive effect has a direct impact on the dynamics of the epidemic, reports the agency, on the eve of the day. World AIDS Day.

In 2020, 30% of HIV infections have been discovered at an advanced stage of infection, which is a loss of opportunity in terms of individual care and a risk of HIV transmission to partners before the under antiretroviral treatment.

A drop in screening was also observed in 2020 for three bacterial STIs (Chlamydia Trachomatis (CT), Gonococcie and Syphilis infections) of the order of 6% in private sector and more markedly in free centers. Information, screening and diagnosis (CEGIDD), of the order of 30%, due to partial or total closures during the first confinement.

In this context, SPF replays its “living with HIV, it is first of all to live” which aims to increase the knowledge of the preventive effect of antiretroviral treatment (TASP) and to combat discrimination related to HIV-positiveivity.

/Media reports.