The number of sexually transmitted infections is rising slightly again nationwide. This trend also applies to Saxony. Every year on World AIDS Day on December 1st, the topic of HIV, AIDS and sexually transmitted infections is highlighted. The need for this arises from the increase in the number of cases. Subject to the final results of the HIV estimation, the estimated total number of new HIV infections in Germany in 2022 is 1,900 infections.
Of these, around 1,000 (53%) are men who have sex with men (MSM). Around 520 people (27%) were infected via heterosexual means in Germany, including 310 women (16%) and 210 men (11%). In addition, approximately 370 (19%) people became infected through intravenous drug use. Unfortunately, exact figures from the Robert Koch Institute for Saxony are not yet available.
For gonorrhea (gonorrhea), syphilis and chlamydia, the Saxony State Examination Institute found a slightly increasing number of infections compared to the previous year in laboratory tests ordered by doctors in the first three quarters of 2023. During the first nine months of this year, 1,014 gonorrhea infections, 286 syphilis infections and 3,094 chlamydia infections were confirmed in the laboratory. The trend suggests a slight increase in sexually transmitted infections compared to previous years.
Health Minister Petra Köpping explains: “Even if the medical treatment of HIV has made great progress and people with HIV whose viral load is below the detection limit are no longer infectious and we have effective protective measures such as the drug HIV prophylaxis PrEP, we are allowed to do so do not let up in our prevention efforts.
The Saxon health authorities and AIDS organizations are reliable partners. We are also pointing this out in our image campaign for the health authorities, the current part of which is dedicated to the topic of sexual health.”
Minister Köpping added: “The brochure with the Saxon action program on HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections was also completed on time. This is a forward-looking guide for prevention, support for people with HIV and medical treatment as well as for cooperation between all actors in the Free State. The common thread that runs through all chapters is respect for self-determination and the protection of sexual rights.”
Every year on the occasion of World AIDS Day, Health Minister Petra Köpping honors deserving individuals whose commitment has made outstanding achievements in the fight against HIV and AIDS. This year the minister awarded Dr. Eckehard Hütter received the Saxon AIDS Medal of Honor. In addition to his full-time work as a surgeon, Dr. Hütter has been with Aids-Hilfe Dresden from the beginning and has had a decisive influence on the voluntary advice offered to those seeking help.
Under the slogan “We care,” the image campaign for the health authorities provides information about their tasks when it comes to sexual health with an explanatory film, city cards, a radio spot and social media advertising. The advice offered by the offices is explained, as well as everything they do to prevent and treat sexually transmitted infections.
The Saxon health authorities deal with the topic of sexual health and offer citizens various offers to achieve and maintain their own sexual health. The offers range from pregnancy and pregnancy conflict counseling to couple, marriage, family and life counseling through to advice centers for sexually transmitted infections. Some health authorities also offer sex education services aimed at young people and other target groups such as people with disabilities.
The health authorities’ sexual health offerings aim to create an environment in which people can fully exploit their sexuality as a possibility for themselves. The consultations provide help in freedom from sexual coercion, sexual abuse and sexual violence and offer protection against and appropriate treatment of sexual health problems. In addition, the health authorities are committed to protecting against discrimination and stigmatization based on gender, sexual orientation or sexual identity.
The term sexual health does not only include sexually transmitted infections such as syphilis, gonorrhea or HIV. It always includes individual psychological well-being and thus a positive quality of life with regard to one’s own sexuality. For many people, sexual health is an important aspect of their lives, regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation or sexual identity.