Key points

HIV/AIDS

• The participation rate of clinical laboratories in the LaboVIH survey declined in the Hauts-de-France region and in mainland France (excluding the Île-de-France region) due to the health crisis. In the Hauts-de-France region, it fell from 71% in 2020 to 67% in 2021 (72% in mainland France excluding the Île-de-France region).

• Testing activity, which had increased between 2015 and 2019, declined sharply between 2019 and 2020 due to a drop in testing during the first lockdown. It increased in 2021 compared to 2020 but remains lower than that observed in mainland France excluding the Île-de-France region.

• From January to September 2022, 29,603 reimbursements for HIV tests were processed under the VIHtest program (representing 18.8% of tests conducted under this program nationwide). This figure is the second highest in France.

• The number of HIV-positive diagnoses per million inhabitants remained stable in 2021 (36 per million inhabitants) compared to 2020 and was similar to that of mainland France excluding the Île-de-France region.

• Sex between men was the primary mode of transmission (nearly 3/5, followed by heterosexual sex at nearly 2/5).

• In 2021, 27% of HIV infections were diagnosed at an advanced stage of the infection, which represents a missed opportunity in terms of individual care and a risk of HIV transmission to partners before the start of antiretroviral treatment.

Gonococcal infection

• In 2021, the screening rate for gonococcal infection was 36 per 1,000 inhabitants. This is lower than the national rate (49 per 1,000 inhabitants) but has been increasing in the region since 2014 and more markedly since 2018.

• Since 2014, approximately three-fifths of those tested have been women.

• Since 2016, the number of gonococcal infection diagnoses has been rising more sharply among men in the CeGIDD.

• The number of gonorrhea cases diagnosed in CeGIDD in 2021 increased by 8 compared to 2019 (+54% compared to 2020).

• MSM account for the majority of ResIST cases in 2021 (91%).

Syphilis

• In 2021, the syphilis screening rate in the region was 42.8 per 1,000 residents, lower than the national rate (51 per 1,000 residents).

• Between 2014 and 2021, the rate of people tested for syphilis at least once a year increased (64%).

• Between 2021 and 2020, the increase was 9%.

• More than two-thirds of those tested since 2014 are women.

• Since 2016, the number of syphilis cases diagnosed at CeGIDD has increased more markedly among men.

• The number of syphilis cases diagnosed at CeGIDD in 2021 increased by 36% compared to 2020.

• MSM account for the majority of ResIST cases in 2021 (89%).