Disturbing figures
What worries is that the use of condoms decreases, while the STIs are progressing. Some figures that challenge: Chlamydia remains the most frequent STI in Belgium, with an increase of 8 % compared to 2022 and 24 % compared to 2021. But what is it? An infection caused by a bacteria. It can be asymptomatic, but if it is not the case, the symptoms generally appear 1 to 3 weeks (s) after contamination: unusual vaginal losses, pain in the lower abdomen and vulva irritation, unusual flow at the penis and penis irritation, or even urinating and bleeding.
But another STI is increasing, gonorrhea experienced a strong upward trend with an increase of 42 % compared to 2022 and 90 % compared to 2021.
The worrying success of the PREP, a treatment that shades the condoms
What du VIH?
And what concerns HIV, where are we? After its official discovery in the 1980s’, mass prevention campaigns took place within the company, which had led to a collective start. But in recent years, the trend has changed, and the level of cases down has been reversed. “”In 2023, 665 people were diagnosed with HIV in Belgium. This represents an increase of 13 % compared to 2022.“
To avoid all this, a solution: the use of condoms. “”Yes, our campaign shows a used condom. Yes, she can shock. But what shocks us more are the figures: more and more young people contract avoidable STIs. It’s time to talk about the condom without embarrassment, without detour, and especially without shame“, Underlines Thierry Martin, director of the AIDS prevention platform.
Not to mention that the use of condoms decreases in young people: between 2014 and 2022, the proportion of sexually active young people who used a condom during their last sexual intercourse rose from 70 % to 61 % in boys and from 63 to 57 % in girls, according to WHO figures. “”The condom remains one of the simplest, accessible and effective means of prevention to protect yourself from sexually transmitted infections. However, its use is retreating, especially among the youngest. This observation obliges us to redouble their efforts to encourage its use, without taboo or stigma. Talking about sexuality is also talking about responsibility, respect for oneself and others“Explains Yves Coppieters, Minister of Health in Wallonia.
The visual campaign is the fruit of the work of four young people: Arnaud André, François Waucquez, Nicoly Tristão and Mariana Sieda, tou · your students in advertising at ESA Saint-Luc.
