Yasmina Kattou, edited by Laura Laplaud 08h08, March 25, 2023

Sidaction kicked off on Friday. A mission: to raise awareness about AIDS, which is still spreading, especially among young people. To limit transmission, the solution remains the condom. Fully covered by health insurance for those under 26 since 1 January, have the concerned been more protected?

As every year, during the three days of Sidaction, the association calls for donations and raises awareness of the disease that is still spreading. Every year in France, 5,000 new cases are discovered. And young people remain misinformed. According to an old Sidaction survey, 20% of 15-24 year olds have not received specific education about HIV in middle or high school. To limit the transmission of STIs, there is only one solution: the condom. Since 1 January, it has been fully covered by health insurance for those under 26.

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To the question, have you noticed that more young people are asking for condoms since they are free? The president of the Federation of Pharmaceutical Unions of France, Philippe Besset, answers without hesitation. "Yes, definitely. The increase is indeed very significant compared to last year," he said.

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Two million condoms distributed free of charge in January 2023

With better targeted communication in colleges, high schools and faculties, the device would take even more scale, judges the pharmacist. But the figures already show a real demand from young people. One month after the introduction of free access, two million condoms were distributed in pharmacies, compared to 500,000 the previous year. 90,000 young people were able to benefit from the scheme in the space of one month, three times more than last year.