Key Points

HIV Infections and AIDS

• HIV Surveillance

  • Participation in the Hauts-de-France region increased in 2023 and now exceeds the level observed in mainland France excluding the Île-de-France (IdF) region.

  • Between 2022 and 2023, the completeness of the DO improved, although it remains insufficient and lower than that observed in mainland France excluding IdF.

• HIV Testing

  • HIV testing has shown steady growth since 2021, particularly thanks to initiatives such as the "HIV Test" program, which facilitates access to testing for everyone.

  • The screening rate is higher among women aged 15 to 49 and lower among people over 50.

  • The testing rate is lower in the Aisne department, while it was higher and exceeded that of mainland France (excluding the Île-de-France region) in the Oise department.

  • A slight increase in the rate of positive serology results in 2023, consistent with the expansion of testing services and increased testing activity.

• HIV Diagnosis

  • The number of new cases has stabilized at around 250 per year since 2019, with a slight increase between 2022 and 2023.

  • HIV seropositivity rate: stable and lower than that observed in mainland France (excluding the Paris region) in 2023.

  • Infections occur primarily through sexual contact among men born in France, followed by heterosexual contact, particularly among people born abroad.

• HIV incidence and size of the undiagnosed population

  • The incidence in the Hauts-de-France region was estimated at 192 cases in 2023, excluding individuals infected prior to their arrival in the region.

  • These new infections primarily affect men who have sex with men, followed by heterosexuals born in France.

  • In 2023, 528 people were living with HIV without knowing their HIV status in Hauts-de-France.

  • Median time from infection to diagnosis. Among people diagnosed in 2023: 1.9 years (quantiles: 0.6–5.1). Among migrants unaware of their HIV status upon arrival in France and diagnosed in 2023: 0.4 years (quantiles: 0.1–0.8).

• AIDS Diagnosis

  • 40 cases were diagnosed, representing a rate of 7 per million inhabitants. Since 2020, no significant change in the number of AIDS diagnoses has been observed.

  • In 2023, the proportion of MSM among new diagnoses decreased, while that of heterosexuals increased. Prior to diagnosis, 80% of cases were unaware of their HIV-positive status.

Bacterial Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct), gonorrhea, and syphilis

• Surveillance Participation

  • In 2023, among the 19 CeGIDDs in the region—including both main offices and branch offices—two submitted their data to Santé publique France.

• Screening

  • Screening rates for all bacterial STIs increased in 2023 but remain below the averages observed in mainland France excluding the Île-de-France region.

  • In line with recommendations, screening activity is high among young women (ages 15–25) as well as among women aged 26–49.

• Diagnosis

  • The region’s diagnosis rates were nearly identical to those of mainland France excluding the Île-de-France region in 2023. Diagnosis rates increased in 2023, with the exception of syphilis.

  • Chlamydia is mainly diagnosed in women aged 15 to 25, while syphilis primarily affects men aged 26 to 49. Gonorrhea, meanwhile, is mainly detected in women aged 15 to 25 and men aged 26 to 49.