This Friday morning, ahead of December 1, World AIDS Day, Médecins du monde and the Kikiwi network organized a morning screening for several STIs (sexually transmitted infections) at the Cayenne market. A place chosen to reach a wide audience. It only took about fifteen minutes to know the results.
On the sidewalk near the Cayenne market, Ruth stops passers-by. A health mediator, she invites them to go to the Médecins du monde stand, Place du Coq, just a stone’s throw away. It was there that all morning, Friday, a team of professionals and volunteers offered rapid screening. The method used, that of the Trod (Rapid Diagnostic Orientation Test), allows you to know your serological status in around fifteen minutes. “We suggest that the public take the test for HIV and syphilis at the same time, but also for hepatitis B and hepatitis C. A single drop of blood is enough for everything”summarizes Herminia. A health mediator too, she begins to chat with a tall man who followed Ruth to the stand. Moses comes to get tested “to find out if there is a virus”.
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While he waits his turn, Herminia gives him condoms and takes the opportunity to question him about his habits, particularly in terms of sexual health. « Here, we not only do screening, but also prevention »indicates the young woman.
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Sylvain, 66, comes out of the tent, closed for confidentiality, where a nurse and a volunteer gave him a questionnaire before taking blood from the end of his finger. He’s going to take a look around before returning in less than twenty minutes for his results. “If the test is positive,” says Herminia, “we offer medical support for treatment and follow-up in hospital. There is also a referral to a psychologist. »
On the stand, Maudeline, 36, is also patient before her screening. Always full of enthusiasm, Ruth, the health mediator, offers him a game to test his knowledge of modes of transmission. The opportunity to debunk preconceived ideas on the subject. The mother of the family will do flawlessly : she is also used to being tested. « It’s important to know if I’m not sick. »
Médecins du monde regularly carries out actions like these, particularly in informal neighborhoods. But for the professionals present, it was important to also come to the Cayenne market. “People who come to buy at the market or those who sell there can pass by. Being present here allows us to reach all audiences and not just vulnerable people, says Herminia. The disease has no nationality, it can affect everyone. »
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As part of World AIDS Day, other screening actions for the general public will be carried out. Monday, it will be at the headquarters of the Entr’Aides Guyane association at 10 rue Madame Pichevin in Cayenne but also on the university campus, with the Cayenne Red Cross or at the Ader premises (64 rue Duchesne) in Kourou. A screening will also be offered on Monday, December 2 at the local Mission of Saint-Laurent (21 rue Paul Eluard).
To date, Guyana remains the French department most affected by the HIV pandemic, with
nearly 4,000 people living with this virus.
In 2023:
• 2,132 people were followed in the hospital centers of Cayenne, Kourou and Saint-Laurent, including 52% women under 50 years old
• 223 new patients were screened, including 7% screened at a late stage (late diagnosis at the time of an opportunistic infection or with a low CD4 lymphocyte count
