Key Points

HIV/AIDS as of March 31, 2019

• A distinct HIV epidemic in French Guiana due to its intensity and characteristics:

  • The highest rate of HIV diagnoses: 896 per 1 million inhabitants in 2018 (data from the Department of Health);

  • The highest rate of positive test results in laboratories: 6.9 positive serology tests per 1,000 performed (LaboVIH survey);

  • An equal proportion of men (48%) and women (52%) among DO cases, with the majority originating from neighboring countries: Brazil, Suriname, Guyana, and Haiti (80%);

  • Heterosexual intercourse is the primary mode of transmission (94%);

  • A delay in diagnosis compared to mainland France: 2% of cases diagnosed at the primary infection stage (compared to 12% in mainland France) and 26% at the recent infection stage (compared to 31% in mainland France).

• Use of e-do: significant underreporting following the switch to electronic reporting:

  • A decline in reporting from the “clinician” category starting in 2016;

  • A decline in reporting from the “laboratory” sector starting in 2018.

  • Regional efforts will be launched to improve the situation.

STI screening (SNDS, Health Insurance)

• Syphilis: one of the highest screening rates (94 per 1,000 people compared to 37 for France as a whole);

• Chlamydia trachomatis infections: one of the highest screening rates (74 per 1,000 people compared to 38 for the national average).