Significantly fewer STD tests during lockdown | Inland

In the first half of 2020, the Sexual Health Centers of the regional GGDs had far fewer visitors who had an STI test. This is partly because during the intelligent lockdown only the necessary care could continue and consultation hours were limited. April therefore had the fewest visitors for the famous test: no less than 80 percent less than in January and February. This is evident from the RIVM ‘Thermometer sexual health’.

Clients with (serious) sexually transmitted diseases and associated complaints and people dealing with sexual violence could be helped. “STI care has been scaled up again since June. In September, most sexual health centers had about 80 percent of the number of visitors from before the lockdown, ”according to the national institute.

Mostly homosexuals came to the sex help centers, even more than women and heterosexual men. “Also, both during and after the lockdown, there was a higher proportion of visitors with complaints and visitors who had been warned about an STI.”

Higher test number

It is striking that although fewer tests were conducted, the percentage of positive results during the lockdown was higher than in the period before and after. More than 1 in 6 women and more than 1 in 5 men who had themselves tested actually had an STI.

According to the RIVM, the lockdown could have ‘had both a positive and negative effect’ on the spread of STIs. “On the one hand, there was less chance of spreading because people had fewer sexual contacts. On the other hand, fewer people have had themselves tested or treated for STIs, which increases the chance of spreading. ”

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