These figures show an increase in the number of tests performed that exceeds the level reached in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic. While the number of HIV diagnoses has declined compared to 2019, it continues to rise for other STIs. Condoms, PrEP, TPE, TasP, vaccines, testing: there are now many prevention tools available to combat these infections. To encourage the use of this combination of prevention methods, Santé publique France, in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Prevention, has been rolling out the second phase of its campaign “Everyone has questions about sexuality” since November 24.

HIV and STI testing rates are rising and exceed pre-COVID-19 levels

Screening activity is increasing in 2022 for all STIs.

The number of tests for the three bacterial STIs continued to rise in 2022, a trend observed for several years, with the exception of a one-time drop in 2020. In 2022, 2.6 million people received at least one reimbursed test for Chlamydia trachomatis infection, 3.0 million for gonococcal infection, and 3.1 million for syphilis. HIV testing activity exceeded 2019 levels, with 6.5 million HIV serology tests performed by clinical laboratories.

Continued rise in diagnoses of bacterial STIs

The number of diagnoses of Chlamydia trachomatis, gonorrhea, and syphilis has increased in recent years. Chlamydia trachomatis infection is now diagnosed more frequently in men than in women. Cases of gonorrhea and syphilis are predominantly diagnosed in men, with men who have sex with men (MSM) accounting for the majority of cases.

A mixed picture regarding new HIV diagnoses

The number of people who learned of their HIV-positive status in 2022 was estimated at between 4,200 and 5,700, figures lower than those in 2019; given the increase in testing volume, this is encouraging in terms of the epidemic’s trajectory.

The trend varies by population group. The number of new HIV diagnoses continues to decline among MSM born in France, who accounted for 27% of new diagnoses in 2022. The decline observed since 2016 is likely due to the growing adoption of PrEP in this population. Conversely, the number of new HIV diagnoses continues to rise among MSM born abroad.

More than half of the new HIV diagnoses in 2022 (56%) were among people born abroad, whether they were infected through heterosexual intercourse or sex between men, highlighting the importance of ensuring this population has access to care and of intensifying prevention efforts targeting them.

An awareness campaign on the importance of combined STI and HIV prevention

Once again this year, indicators highlight the importance of being well-informed about the variety and complementary nature of tools for protecting against and screening for STIs and HIV (condoms, PrEP, TPE, TasP, STI vaccination, screening). That is why, on World AIDS Day, Santé publique France is launching the second phase of the “Everyone has questions about sexuality” campaign, dedicated to STIs and HIV.

The campaign aims to encourage the use of combination prevention and testing by improving awareness of these prevention tools, some of which are still little known. It targets the general public as well as key populations in the fight against HIV—people from sub-Saharan Africa (a region with high prevalence) and men who have sex with men—as well as healthcare professionals who prescribe these prevention methods.

Available on TV, digital platforms, and billboards, it addresses the most common questions about protection against STIs and promotes the availability of certain free prevention tools.

Thanks in particular to a dedicated TV spot, the campaign highlights PrEP, a tool that has been available to the MSM population since 2016 but is still underutilized among migrant populations and requires quarterly STI testing. An advertorial in the trade press, produced in collaboration with the association Vers Paris sans Sida, highlights the importance of promoting this tool among the migrant population, particularly women, who currently account for only 3% of PrEP users1.

The campaign also has two specific components dedicated to migrant populations from sub-Saharan Africa and to MSM. For migrant populations, the initiative is being rolled out through a network of retail outlets and on social media, and will be featured in a radio program; for MSM, it is being rolled out online and through a network of affinity-based posters, as well as via community media.

To support healthcare professionals and other field workers in their practice, Santé publique France provides various tools (brochures, posters, photo stories, etc.), which are available for download and can be ordered.