December 1: World AIDS Day 2018

Facts and figures, in the world and in Europe (source: WHO / ECDC)

With more than 35 million deaths to date, HIV continues to be a major public health problem globally. In 2017, 940,000 people died worldwide of an HIV-related cause.

The WHO African region remains the most affected region, with 25.7 million people living with HIV, and concentrating 2/3 of new infections.

It is estimated that currently only 75% of people living with HIV know their situation, which means that 25% are unaware of it and do not have access to antiretroviral therapy (AVR).

Between 2000 and 2017, the number of new infections fell by 36%, thanks to global efforts to fight AIDS, and the number of HIV-related deaths fell by 38%, saving 11.4 million lives worldwide. same period, thanks to the AVR.

At the end of 2017, 21.7 million people were receiving antiretroviral treatment.

While globally, HIV prevalence is declining, at the European level it is stabilizing in Western Europe, and continues to increase in Eastern Europe.

With nearly 160,000 new diagnoses, there is an alarming number of new HIV infections in the WHO European Region in 2017.

The situation in Luxembourg

In Luxembourg, the incidence of HIV has continued to increase each year, but in 2018, the data on 1 December show a decrease (80, instead of 101 in 2017) of the total number of patients registered in the NMI cohort, and above all a decrease in the number of new infections (35, compared to 60 in 2017). However, the year 2018 is not over yet.

This decline in new infections is due to heterobadual transmission infections (11, compared to 31 in 2017), and drug use (4, instead of 9 in 2017), but not for MSM (18, compared with 15 in 2017).

The 2012-2015 period had experienced an outbreak in the population of intravenous drug users. Cocaine use was one of the determinants of this alarming outbreak, combined with the precariousness and social exclusion that has defeated current prevention programs.

In Luxembourg, more than 1000 people are currently living with HIV, and it is estimated that 20% of these people do not know they are infected because they have not been tested. However, the only condition to have access to treatment is to know if you have been infected, and for that, a single gesture is necessary: Take the screening test !

We remain hopeful that we will be able to reach the 90-90-90 goals of UNAIDS by 2030, that is to say: 90% of people diagnosed, 90% of people treated, and 90% of those treated with HIV / AIDS. undetectable viral load. But undiagnosed and untreated people are the major determinants of tomorrow's infections. We must therefore organize their link to medical care as quickly as possible, by offering the most diversified diagnostic and treatment offer possible and accessible to all.

Events – World AIDS Day

Every year, numerous prevention, information and awareness-raising activities are organized by the Division of Preventive Medicine of the Directorate of Health, in collaboration with HIV Berodung of the Red Cross and in consultation with the Monitoring Committee. AIDS, infectious hepatitis and badually transmitted diseases.

• November 30, 2018 – Awareness workshops with high school students

  The Berodung HIV Service of the Luxembourg Red Cross, the Division of Preventive Medicine of the Ministry of Health, the National Office for Infectious Diseases of the Luxembourg Hospital Center, the Stop Aids Now / Access NGO and the Luxembourg Institute of Health. Health) jointly organize an awareness day, through different workshops, for students from different high schools in Luxembourg. This day will take place in the premises of the Geesseknäppchen Forum, and various workshops dealing with the theme of HIV will be given / animated by the organizers, experts of the subject.

  In the evening, will be held, at the Ministry of Health, the awarding of prizes Art on Condoms in the contest "PREVENTIVE ART – Art On Condoms 2018" launched at the initiative of the HIV Berodung of the Luxembourg Red Cross, in presence of experts in the fight against HIV, STIs and hepatitis.

• See you on December 1, 2018 at Luxembourg station

  The Division of Preventive Medicine, National Infectious Disease Service of the Luxembourg Hospital Center and the LIH join the DIMPS (Mobile Intervention Device for the Promotion of Sexual Health) for a day of public awareness and condom distribution . As screening remains the cornerstone of HIV prevention, the mobile DIMPS unit will be present at the Luxembourg station from 10 am to 2 pm to offer a rapid, anonymous and free HIV test to anyone wishing to do it. Information on HIV infection will be given and the public will be able to watch a 3D film on the action of HIV in the body.

  By way of closing this day, HIV Berodung and its various partners will celebrate its 30th anniversary, during a private party at the Cercle Cité.