December 1 is the international HIV day. HIV, Human Immunodeficiency Virus, is a chronic disease that is important to detect and treat in time. Lakua Health Advisor, Gotzone Sagardui, has anticipated that the Department of Health and Osakidetza will present a strategic plan for the period 2022-2030 to prevent and control HIV infections and other sexually transmitted diseases.

Among the main objectives of the Plan are the promotion of early diagnosis, early treatment, management of the chronicity of the infection and improvement of the quality of life of people without discrimination.

Sagardui notes that in Araba, Bizkaia and Gipuzkoa more than 50% of annual diagnoses are made late when the immune system has already suffered significant damage. Remember that Osakidetza last year served 6,273 arched people of HIV, which cost more than €18 million, 5.5% more than in 2021.

Rapid HIV testing in Navarra

According to Naiz, 38 new diagnoses were registered in Navarra in 2022 and the number of residents with HIV increased by the end of the year to 1,257 people. It should be noted that 72% are men over 44 years of age.

To address this problem, COFNA, the Department of Health and the Official College of Pharmacists of Navarra have launched an early HIV detection programme in pharmacies. The twelve pharmacies in Pamplona, Tudela and Estella will offer rapid tests of HIV from 28 November 2023 to March 2024, for an amount of five euros. COFNA President Alberto Mantilla has pointed out that the program aims to reduce late diagnoses and sexually transmitted diseases. It also explains that confidentiality and appropriate advice will be ensured to those who perform the test.

The trend of young people in Spain

According to a barometer prepared by Control in Spain, 40% of Spanish youth do not use condoms in sex and 92% do not use them in oral sex, according to Noticias de Navarra. Likewise, 70% have never tested for HIV. According to the data, 40% use other contraceptive methods, 29% argue that condom sensitivity is lost and 18% state that the moment of excitation is interrupted.

Four out of ten young people state that it is not frequent to know the health status of people who have sex. The representative of Control Spain, Irene Asenjo, pointed out that sex education is the “key” to preventing infections: “Our commitment is to ensure the well-being of all people who want to live the sexuality of young people safely, also working on the dissemination and awareness of seux of safe products that fit their needs.”