3rd edition of the comprehensive prevention campaign for MSM

This summer, Santé publique France is relaunching its comprehensive prevention campaign targeting men who have sex with men (MSM). To mark this relaunch, a new message is being promoted: testing for sexually transmitted infections.

Published on 8 July 2019

Safe Sex

HIV and STI prevention, testing, and sexual orientation—the Sexosafe website addresses issues related to sexuality among men.

Following the first phase of the campaign, launched in 2016 to raise broad awareness of the topic of comprehensive prevention, a second phase was launched in November 2018. It then refocused on the MSM population (community outreach) and sought to raise awareness of each prevention method (condoms, PrEP, TASP, TPE, testing).

For this third phase, Santé publique France wanted to remind the public that for MSM with multiple sexual partners, testing for HIV and other STIs every three months is recommended.

HIV and STIs Among MSM

The epidemiological situation remains concerning for MSM regarding HIV and other STIs (sexually transmitted infections). For example, nearly half (41%) of newly diagnosed HIV-positive cases involve MSM.

According to data from the 2017 ERAS survey (“Rapport Au Sexe” survey), conducted by Santé publique France among MSM, anal intercourse is still very rarely protected (no condoms, no PrEP, no TasP). Only 50% of respondents reported using a form of protection. As for HIV testing within the past year, it was reported by 53% of respondents. In these cases, the median number of tests was 2. Testing for at least one STI within the past year was reported by 49% of respondents.

This is why the agency is communicating about the existing range of prevention services available to MSM in order to increase the overall level of prevention and reduce the incidence of HIV and STIs.

This campaign targets both men aged 18 to 25—who feel less concerned about HIV, identify less with the gay community than their older peers, and live in more mixed social circles—and men over 25 who are more comfortable with the label of homosexuality and frequent community venues more often.