The return of sexually transmitted diseases, a violation for HIV

Tahiti, November 18, 2020 – Proof of a “Behavior relaxation”, the rise in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is supporting the Agir contre le SIDA association in its outreach efforts in the field. Starting with the Patchwork of Names project, a gigantic “tifaifai” in homage to the victims, broadcast for the first time in Polynesia.

Syphilis, hepatitis b, gonococcal disease or chlamydia. The resurgence of STIs (sexually transmitted infections) in recent years has betrayed some “Behavior Relaxation” which exposes dangerously to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). “We don’t have to wait for a rise in HIV, which seems less contagious than other sexually transmitted diseases and is a little out of time, to react.” summarizes Lam Nguyen, referring physician for Agir contre le AIS. The association knows this, anticipating World AIDS Day on December 2 to challenge the need to reverse the trend ” Before it’s too late “. “We must continue the work in the field, not let our guard down” the honorary president, Mayor Bopp Dupont, spoke.

Young people are particularly affected, with an incidence rate in the 15-24 age group of 12.5 per 100,000 inhabitants. Data from the CHPF’s Center for Infectious and Tropical Diseases show that in 2018, “76.5% of young subjects use little or no condoms during sex. “ Furthermore, their access to digital technology appears to have an impact. “The encounters are more abundant, faster, the new generations have more ease in having new partners, while before we did not have an interface that allowed human contacts a little more on the chain” analyzes the doctor.

Cases of congenital syphilis in children

The number of cases of syphilis is particularly impressive, which now also affects pregnant women. But that is not all. “We started seeing congenital syphilis in children when we haven’t seen it for nearly 25 years, but also in blood donors.” notify your doctor. “If the HIV prevalence in the population is low, it will take some time to start, develops the doctor. Since 1985, 420 cases of HIV infection have been reported, 105 of which are in the AIDS phase.

As evidence that Polynesia is not spared from the disease, 92 people have died, including three recently: a 32-year-old woman in 2019 and two deaths in 2020 including a 23-year-old who leaves a woman and two children. behind him. “Every death is a failure because we have an efficient health system, which gives access to treatment, we should no longer die of AIDS in Polynesia today” says the doctor. “But again, we only know what we detect, which is the tip of the iceberg?”

Exclusion, rejection, fear

Beyond the statistics “Impersonnelles”, on which it draws attention “Human Dramas”, greeting the honorary president for finding the “Courage” to overcome the disease. “I know what it means to be on the brink of death, to return, to rebuild, to fight” emphasizes the person concerned, who has been HIV-positive for more than 20 years. Exclusion, rejection, fear: beyond the disease, “These are the realities that are weakening”. Aware that HIV elicits less empathy than cancer, and therefore less visibility, she deplores the “Prejudices” which still weigh heavily on AIDS patients, despite access to treatment. “When the person has decided to leave, he lets himself die and this is sometimes linked to this fear of being rejected. “

While Covid monopolizes all the attention and all the resources, Agir contre le SIDA has decided to entrust the project to Fenua. “Patchwork of names” : gigantic “tifaifai” conceived as a memorial. “Covid takes up a lot of space, competition is tough” the honorary president slips. Karel Luciani, president of the association, bets on ” local impact ” of “Symbol of Polynesian culture” embodied by the tifaifai. Renamed “If you don’t remember” in Tahitian, the project aims to capture the attention of Polynesians on the epidemic, “Perpetuate the memory of those who have died of AIDS”, “combat exclusion and discrimination of people by allowing relatives who wish to affirm the true cause of death of their loved ones, and to work in greater visibility for awareness.” The association will present its first models on 1 December and will invite everyone to create their own patchwork. “If you can also send us a photo of the work, it would already be a huge contribution” adds the president.

The very first copy is displayed on the ticket of the assembly of French Polynesia. Those who wish can leave a note. “It is a beautiful tribute that the association wants to pay to the victims, comments Mayor Bopp Dupont. But it is also a way of telling patients that they have not been forgotten. “