In 2022, 597 people received a new HIV diagnosis in Belgium. That is an increase of 14 per cent compared to 2021. The figures come from the Belgian health science institute Sciensano. The increase should be interpreted with caution because since the pandemic, figures have fluctuated more. Looking at the figures over the past 10 years, the number of HIV infections in Belgium is on the decrease.
Among men who have sex with men the number of new HIV diagnoses fell compared to 2021, but in the group of men, aged 20- to 29-year, who also have sex with other men, the number of infections rose for the second year in a row.
"Mostly these are men with Belgian or a Latin American nationality. There are also more diagnoses in cities like Brussels and Antwerp," says Sciensano researcher Jessika Deblonde. "This really highlights the need, in this young and diverse population, to optimise the use of all prevention strategies."
Figures from August 2023 show that sales of medication to prevent HIV infections have almost doubled in the past three years. Making PrEP accessible to people who are harder to reach is also important for Sciensano.
More infections among women
Interestingly, last year there was also an increase in diagnoses among heterosexual women of Sub-Saharan African nationalities. The increase comes after a sharp decline in 2020 and 2021. "It is quite possible that during the pandemic there was a disruption in migration dynamics and access to screening. As a result there may well be a catch-up in the number of diagnoses in 2022."
Sciensano stresses the importance of paying special attention to this group of women. "Early detection is necessary to start treatment quickly."
Rapid diagnosis and treatment needed
To further reduce HIV in our country, Sciensano also formulates a number of priorities. "Despite progress in recent years, the HIV epidemic in Belgium is not yet under control. It is therefore very important to make further progress on early diagnosis and the effective use of the full range of prevention strategies, including PrEP."
Deblonde says the approach should also become more tailor-made: "For example, by more screenings in cities and environments where HIV is more prevalent, but also by approaching at-risk populations preventively."
Sensoa, the Flemish expertise centre for sexual health, also stresses the importance of further progress. "The relatively high figures of late diagnoses remain a focus of attention. Detecting HIV early and starting treatment remains an essential element in prevention."