What is the effect of the corona crisis on the spread of sexually transmitted diseases? RIVM has no idea yet. This is mainly because much fewer STI tests than normal were administered due to corona: up to 80 percent less.
Due to the outbreak of the corona virus, far fewer people at the GGD could make use of sexual health care. For example, during the lockdown from March 13 to May 31, consultation hours were only intended for essential care. So are in April up to 80 percent fewer STI tests than normal.
Taken less sexual risk
They also see that the number of STD tests has decreased at Sense Northern Netherlands. Fetzen de Groot, coordinator of Sense Northern Netherlands: “It is approximately 40 to 50 percent less than in previous years. Most of the decline was seen in April and May, but even now we see that it is very much behind the other forecasts. . “
This decrease is partly because several GGDs offered fewer tests during the first wave and only treated emergencies. At that time, for example, they referred to the doctor. De Groot thinks that there are also other reasons for a decrease: “People have taken less sexual risk. But it is also believed that this is not important enough to burden the GGD.”
A larger proportion have STDs
Sense Noord-Nederland does show a change in the percentage of people tested who turn out to have an STI: “That number is relatively higher than in other years.” But the absolute number has therefore decreased due to fewer tests. “It means that people who come to us have actually run a real risk,” says De Groot.
RIVM also sees this increase. The percentage of positive results was much higher during the lockdown compared to the period before and after. Between January and August 2020, more than one in six women and one in five men tested had an STI.
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More home tests
Klazien Visser, director of Soapoli-online, sees an increase in the number of STD tests ordered at home. “That increase was in the first period of the lockdown, about 45 to 50 percent.”
And she also sees more infections: “You see a shift in the people who test. The people who previously ended up at the GGD come to us.” This can also explain the increase, because normally the risk group tests at the GGD, who more often have an STI.
Further research
But it is not yet clear whether the lockdown has had a positive or negative effect on the spread of STIs, according to the RIVM. Because people had fewer sexual contacts, there was less chance of spreading. This is how the Rutgers knowledge center researched that singles had less sex during the lockdown. Those who did had a one-night stand less often.
The downside is that people have also had less testing or treatment for an STI, which increases the chance of spreading. Various studies have been started which have played a greater role: fewer sexual contacts or missed STI diagnoses. For now that remains a question.
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