“We see it with the figures, it never decreases. It just keeps increasing,” explains Stéphanie Roy, Itinerary, HCV and HIV project worker.
DépistaFest, the only screening festival in Quebec, is an initiation of Club Sexu.
It aims to counter the lack of screening clinics, particularly for young adults, and to break taboos on STBBIs.
“To remove the taboo of screening, to demonstrate that it is not scary. Getting tested is quite easy. Entries for screening are difficult, but getting screened as is is quite quick and it’s not too complicated,” she says.
Stéphanie Roy, Itinerary, HCV and HIV project worker at IRIS Estrie. (Jean Roy/La Tribune)
Constant increase
For Stéphanie Roy, complex access to screening and the lack of education on the subject are to blame for the increase in cases.
“It remains a constant problem, which is there with the difficulty of getting tested and the lack of education.”
She also believes that the figures are much higher given that many people do not get tested.
“The numbers that are coming out, I don’t believe they are the right numbers. I think there are others. Those who do not have access to screening, there are positive cases for sure,” assures Ms. Roy.
According to her, getting tested is the solution to slowing transmission.
“The first prevention in STBBI is knowing your status. When we know our status, we are treated and like that, there is no transmission.”
(Journalist: Annie St-Onge Marchand | Videographer: Jean Roy | Production and editing: Mòrag Bélisle)
Stéphanie Roy noticed that there is less and less initiative to counter STBBIs.
“Often all this prevention that we could do intensely before, we do it less because we are overwhelmed with all the problems that people can experience,” says the speaker.
Furthermore, she thinks that concrete actions will be taken in the next year due to the increase in people suffering from an STBBI.
“But I believe that something will be unblocked because it is currently problematic.”
Difficult access
Stéphanie Roy explains that those who do not have a family doctor have even more difficulty getting tested.
“When leaving, if you have a symptom, it is obligatory to see a doctor. So if you don’t have a doctor, what do you do?” she asks herself.
There are also many people who have taboos regarding STBBIs.
“We don’t talk about it. It’s embarrassing, sometimes it’s humiliating for some people. Especially if they have had a risky contact, they are afraid of the results.
As part of DépistaFest, IRIS Estrie offered screening and vaccination services to a wider population.
“Screening is open to everyone, without symptoms, 14 years and over, health insurance card or not and it’s free,” reveals Stéphanie Roy.
DépistaFest takes place throughout Quebec until June 16.
