2024-07-16 08:35:07
According to a Harris Interactive survey conducted in France for Gilead Sciences, a company dedicated to the fight against HIV, risky behavior continues. Among those surveyed who said they had a new sexual partner, a majority (53%) said they did not protect themselves; ie 4 points more compared to 2020.
How to explain this figure?
45% of those affected indicate that they have not protected themselves because they trust their sexual partner, a figure that even rises to 61% among those aged 50 and over. The other reasons given were comfort for 30% or for 28% who did not have a condom.
“Every day, I find people who find out about their HIV status after confiding in a new partner. We cannot be happy that young people do not protect themselves, or even worse, that they do not know about certain measures that have been implemented by the authorities such as free condoms for those under 26 years of age. Only 48% of 15-24 year olds know about it when 90% should! » says Professor Gilles Pialoux, Head of the Department of Infectious Diseases at the Tenon Hospital in Paris.
Screening, a reflex that not everyone has received
32% of French people say that they did not systematically benefit from screening in the event of unprotected sexual relations with a new partner. A figure that even rises to 44% among 15-34 year olds.
“Getting tested for HIV has never been easier. The study showed that 12% of French people do not get tested for fear of the result: this puts themselves and others at risk. Today, 24,000 people are unaware of their HIV status, but it is important to know in order to start treatment as soon as possible and therefore reduce the viral load until the virus is undetectable and therefore non-transmissible. » shows Professor Gilles Pialoux.
A person on HIV treatment who complies with their treatment no longer transmits the virus
Although there is still no treatment available today to cure HIV infection, it can be controlled. In fact, treatments enable HIV-positive people to achieve a so-called “undetectable” viral load. This means that a person living with HIV under treatment and who complies with their treatment and medical follow-up no longer transmits the virus, including during unprotected sex. This is what we call the notion of TASP “Treatment as Prevention” and “Undetected = Untransmittable (I=I)”.
However, 87% of French people believe that the virus could be contaminated after unprotected vaginal sex with a person carrying the virus under treatment from which people die today HIV in figures
Today in France, it is estimated that 200,000 people are living with HIV, among whom it is estimated that around 24,000 people are not aware of their HIV status. It is estimated that there are almost 5,000 new contaminations per year. The face of the HIV epidemic has changed: among the 5,000 new infections per year, 31% are women, 54% are people who identify as heterosexual.
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