le Cegidd en première ligne contre le virus du Sida
At Cegidd, it is possible to carry out a test for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), without a prescription or appointment. A team made up of two doctors and three nurses cares for, advises and accompanies nearly fifty people every day. “Today is a calm day. On busy days, we can accommodate more than 60 patients, ”points out Isabelle Lehen, coordinating doctor for the sexual health center in Gironde.
In an adjoining room; white coat tied to the back of her chair, her eyes riveted on her computer screen, a pile of results on her desk, Bella Tondut, a nurse at Cegidd, performs the same morning routine. “I sort the results that we have just had, according to whether they are negative or positive. In the case of a positive test, we call the person and they must go to Cegidd, ”she says in a calm voice while filing the documents.
wait in silence
In order to better manage this public, Cegidd has a well-established organization. Anyone wishing to carry out a test within this structure is first steered by the Cegidd reception. A self-questionnaire is then given to him. The latter allows the nurse or the doctor to guide his consultation and to set up the necessary screenings.
Waiting to be taken care of, a 24-year-old student who prefers to remain anonymous explains that she owes her arrival to an “accident”, which occurred in the euphoria of an evening. “Even if we know the risks, in real life, things are sometimes different,” she says in a low voice.
If discomfort reigns among some users, Cegidd staff do their best to dispel any feeling of guilt. “People coming to our premises are first and foremost responsible”, insists Marion Laurent, one of the referent nurses. Same story on the side of Isabelle Lehen: “Getting tested is essential, in order to avoid the circulation of sexually transmitted infections. On average, Cegidd performs nearly 9,000 HIV tests each year. A figure which, during the Covid epidemic, fell, despite the continuity of the services provided by the structure during most of the confinements.
A support mission
During the year 2021, in New Aquitaine, 89 people discovered their HIV infection, bringing the official number of HIV-positive people to 8,291 individuals. Nationally, according to the latest figures from Public Health France, 5,000 people have discovered their HIV status and 5.7 million HIV tests have been carried out, an increase of 8% compared to 2020. to analyze these numbers. Indeed, during the pandemic, the number of screenings has decreased. About a third of people are screened at a late stage. The earlier the disease is identified, the sooner a treatment can be put in place”, emphasizes Isabelle Lehen.
Marion Laurent repeats it to the people she receives: “Here, you are at Cegidd, it’s a time for you. “Fighting stereotypes and supporting an uninformed public are part of Cegidd’s missions. “It’s a place of trust, where there is no judgment on sexual practices or orientations,” continues the nurse. Finally, another mission, still just as educational, Cegidd staff informs its users about the means of contraception (condoms, pill, PrEP, etc.) or about the vaccines to be carried out in a preventive context.
(1) The first name has been changed.