Lhe number of HIV diagnoses (human immunodeficiency virus, which progressively attacks the immune system) is increasing for the third consecutive year in all population groups, warns the public health institute Sciensano. The HIV epidemic in Belgium is therefore not under control and additional efforts remain necessary.
In 2023, 665 people were diagnosed with HIV in Belgium, an increase of 13% compared to 2022. Just under half of these diagnoses concerned men who have sex with men (MSM), particularly in the age group of 30-39 years. This is an increase of 16% compared to 2022, which interrupts the continuous decline previously observed among Belgian MSM. The other half of new HIV diagnoses were made among heterosexual people, an increase of 13% compared to 2022. The increase concerns both men and women, but it is in the age groups of 30 at 49 and over 60 she is strongest.
The decline in condom use partly explains this increase. Some people are exposed to HIV without being aware of the risk they run. Furthermore, although the use of PrEP (an HIV preventive treatment offered to HIV-negative people at high risk of HIV infection) among MSM continues to increase, the increase in the number of diagnoses in this group suggests the persistence of gaps in coverage, Sciensano further emphasizes. And other high-risk groups face barriers to accessing and using PrEP effectively.
These factors are further compounded by the increase in other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as gonorrhea and chlamydia, in Belgium. Indeed, people with an STI are at greater risk of HIV infection if they are exposed to it.
“This situation reminds us of the importance of continuing prevention efforts, especially since today a set of effective tools exist to reduce the risk of HIV transmission,” notes the AIDS Prevention platform: “It is what we call combined prevention which is based on the use of condoms, the use of screening and the use of treatments to minimize the risks of HIV transmission. »
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