Young people, always less well informed

The trend has been the same for several years: the knowledge of young adults aged 18 to 35 on sexually transmitted diseases (MST) are retreating. Since 2016, the figures have been striking: AIDS, a disease induced by HIV, remains the first illness quoted spontaneously by 77 % of 18-35 year olds according to an interactive Harris poll carried out for the National Syndicat of Venearologists and Made Public Tuesday 1^is July. But diseases such as genital herpes (51 % against 76 % in 2016), pubes or lice of the pubis (38 % against 63 % in 2016), syphilis (53 % against 75 % in 2016), hepatitis B and C, are less and less cited, according to pathologies, losing from 13 to 25 points between 2016 to 2024.

Two exceptions: chlamydias (42 % against 43 % in 2016) remain at the same level, while the papillomavirus (53 % against 45 % in 2016) is the only one to see its notoriety grow by 8 points. Without a doubt thanks to the various awareness campaigns carried out in recent years.

Another worrying point, while in 2016, 72 % of 18-5 year olds knew that a person contaminated by an MST could not have symptoms, there are only 61 % in 2024. Only 61 % of them know that an MST is transferable anal against 72 % in 2016. 49 % of them that a MST is transmitted to the fetus; They were 67 % in 2016.

Lack of knowledge, bad information … If 80 % of 18 – 35 consulted a doctor at the slightest sign of infection in 2016, there are only 72 % in 2024. Many of them do not know the role of the dermatologist – venerologist since the dermatologist is only consulted in 6 % of cases. As a reminder, venerology is a specialty of dermatology, indicated for skin lesions and in particular anal or vaginal mucous membranes, very often the sign of an STD.

MST screening is also down. The number of young people who are tested before the condom stopped dropped by 8 % (from 73 % to 65 %), from 9 % for HIV screening in case of doubt after a risk ratio. As for control screening, recommended 6 weeks after the last risk taking if the first result is negative, it drops from 66 % in 2016 to 53 % in 2024.

Only 73 % of young adults questioned believe that the best protection is condom, a decrease of 11 points.

In addition to the investigation of the union of dermatologists – venerologists, Info Health sexuality (SIS Association) published the 2024 results of its listening lines. The far too marginal use of the condom is confirmed. In 79 % of cases, young people who have requested sexuality Info Health (of SIS Association) about an MST had not used a condom during the report in question. This figure rises to 83 % in women against 77 % in men. The female condom remains poorly known and little used. Among 18-24 year olds, only 8 % of young women mention having used it, compared to 16 % of men. Many testimonies also show dependence on the partner’s desire, making protection for young women more difficult.

Regarding the increased chlamydia, the infection represents 32 % of the requests, with a notable prevalence in women, 45 % against 24 % in men. “Young women bear witness to more symptoms, side effects or poorly understood recurrences after treatment”, Note Info Health Sexuality.

On June 30, Health Insurance & announced the launch of a screening kit for infections chlamydia and in Gonococcus, free and delivered to your home for 18 to 25 years. For the time being, only the order of screening kits by vaginal self-pronouncement is currently available. This kit completes the “My Ist Test” system launched in September 2024 to facilitate access to independent screening. Since September 1, it is possible to request without prescription and without appointment the screening of four sexually transmitted infections (IST), in addition to HIV, in the medical biology laboratory (gonorrhea, chlamydiosis, hepatitis B and syphilis). It is free for those under 26 but remains, according to sexuality Info Health, little known to young adults.

The National Union of Dermatology and Veneurology and SIS Association calls for strengthening the education of young people concerning STD. “The progression of chlamydia, the ignorance of screening, the lack of protection during reports … so many alert signals which require to strengthen prevention systems, particularly as summer approaches. It is essential to speak differently about sexuality, with pedagogy, benevolence and without taboo ”, said DRE Arame Mbodje, director of SIS Association.