Screening for HIV and bacterial sexually transmitted infections in France, 2014–2021

Introduction - Screening for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is an essential component of prevention. This article describes HIV screening and screening for three bacterial STIs (syphilis, gonorrhea, and Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) infections) in France in 2021, as well as recent trends, based on individual reimbursement data from the National Health Data System (SNDS). Method - SNDS data allow for tracking the number of reimbursements by the National Health Insurance for HIV, syphilis, gonococcal, and Ct screening tests performed in the private and public sectors (excluding hospitalizations), as well as the individuals receiving these reimbursements. The analysis focused on beneficiaries aged 15 and older. National screening rates were calculated per 1,000 people aged 15 and older, by age and sex. Results - In 2021, 4.59 million HIV tests were performed on 3.98 million beneficiaries (a rate of 70.7 per 1,000 inhabitants). In the same year, 2.97 million tests for Chlamydia infection were performed on 2.32 million beneficiaries (41.3 per 1,000). Also in 2021, 4.74 million gonorrhea tests were performed on 2.69 million individuals (47.9 per 1,000). Finally, 3.39 million syphilis screening tests were performed on 2.84 million beneficiaries (50.6 per 1,000). Screening rates were higher among women than among men, and among young women and men under 26 years of age for bacterial STIs. These rates increased from 2014 to 2019 for all infections (HIV, gonorrhea, Chlamydia, and syphilis), then decreased in 2020, and increased again in 2021. Conclusion - Although reimbursement data do not represent all tests performed, they highlight variations in testing rates by age and sex over time. Following a period of rising screening rates, the decline observed in 2020 at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic was reversed in 2021 for bacterial STIs, but not yet for HIV, underscoring the importance of renewing efforts to promote screening.

Author(s): Kounta Cheick Haïballa, Drewniak Nicolas, Cazein Françoise, Chazelle Émilie, Lot Florence

Publishing year: 2022

Pages: 456-462

Weekly Epidemiological Bulletin, 2022, n° 24-25, p. 456-462

In relation to

Our latest news

news

2026 “Sexual Behavior” Survey (ERAS) for men who have sex with men

news

Hervé Maisonneuve has been appointed scientific integrity officer for a...

Visuel illustratif

news

Public Health France 2026 Barometer: Launch of the Survey