Public Health Bulletin on HIV and STIs in Hauts-de-France. December 2021.

Published on 1 December 2021

Key points

HIV/AIDS

Participation in the LaboVIH survey and accurate reporting of new HIV diagnoses via e-DO by clinicians and laboratory technicians are essential for the production of reliable surveillance indicators. In 2020, due to the health crisis, this was not the case in all regions.

LaboVIH Testing
- The number of HIV serology tests performed in the Hauts-de-France region was 66 per 1,000 inhabitants. Screening activity declined sharply between 2019 and 2020, due to a decrease in screening during the first lockdown.
HIV Diagnosis
- The rate of new HIV diagnoses in Hauts-de-France decreased in 2020 (37 per million inhabitants) compared to 2019 (49 per million inhabitants). It is lower than that of mainland France excluding the Île-de-France region (43 per million inhabitants);
- Among those who learned of their HIV-positive status in 2020, more than half (52%) were men who have sex with men, born in France.
e-DO
- In 2020, 42% (compared to 57% in 2019) of the mandatory reporting forms for HIV-positive diagnoses were complete, containing both the section filled out by the laboratory technician and the section filled out by the clinician.

STI Screening (SNDS)

Syphilis: In 2020, the screening rate was higher among women (51 per 1,000 population) than among men (22 per 1,000 population), and increased compared to previous years.
Chlamydia trachomatis infections: In 2020, the screening rate was higher among women (44 per 1,000 population) than among men (16 per 1,000 population), and remained stable compared to 2019 for both men and women.
Gonococcal infections: In 2020, the screening rate was higher among women (41 per 100,000 population) than among men (14 per 100,000 population), and remained stable compared to 2019 for both men and women.

Gonococcal Infections and Recent Syphilis (ResIST)

Gonorrhea: The number of reported gonorrhea cases has remained stable compared to the past two years. Nearly 9 out of 10 cases involved men who have sex with men.
Syphilis: The number of reported cases of recent syphilis decreased by 19% compared to 2019. Gay and bisexual men accounted for 90% of syphilis cases.

CeGIDD Activity Data

Regardless of the type of bacterial STI (syphilis, gonorrhea, and Chlamydia trachomatis), there was a decrease in testing and in the number of diagnosed cases in 2020 compared to 2019.