In recent years, it has been noted that the number of first-time HIV diagnoses in Germany has fallen slightly. However, infections with other sexually transmitted infections are increasing. In addition to having sex with a condom or femidom, low-threshold testing options are also important to contain the spread of STIs.
The Federal Center for Health Education (BZgA) has been publishing poster campaigns on sexually transmitted infections (STIs) for several years. They expressly point out that condoms should be used in order to reduce the risk of contracting an STI, or that you should consult a doctor if you have symptoms that indicate an STI.(https://www.bzga.de/infomaterialien/hivsti-praevention/ liebesleben-kampagne/liebesleben-plakate/)
If there are symptoms, the doctors have a clear indication for a test and the health insurance companies cover the costs. In enlightened medical practices, it is common to draw up a detailed sexual anamnesis. From the results, such as sexual practices and number of sex partners, the attending physician will determine appropriate screening of certain STIs in order to be able to identify and treat asymptomatic STIs as well. In these cases, the health insurance companies also cover the costs incurred.
Many STIs cause no or hardly any symptoms, so that there is no indication and the health insurance companies can refuse to cover the costs. The same applies to routine tests for people with several sex partners per year and without symptoms. If the health insurance companies do not cover these costs, the patient bears them themselves.
The German STI Society publishes recommendations as to who should be examined for STIs and how often. (https://dstig.de/images/DSTIG-Flyer/ Leitfaden/sti%20leitfaden_2.auflage_2014.pdf; https://www.aidshilfe.de/shop/infomappe-furberatung-aidshilfen).
The counseling centers for AIDS and STIs of the health authorities offer anonymous HIV laboratory tests or screenings for other STIs, mainly for men who have sex with men (MSM) and sex workers.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic showed the weak point of this system. Due to the commitment of all staff of the local health authorities to fight the pandemic, the testing options for STI were completely and without replacement stopped for months.
Many Aidshilfe locations or checkpoints in Germany (www.aidshilfe.de/adressen) also offer anonymous HIV tests or tests for other STIs, but cannot meet the demand.
This left people who wanted to be tested for STIs with only one option, a doctor or laboratory test. These tests are not anonymous and are not covered by health insurance in the constellations described, so people may not have themselves tested for fear of the costs.
We therefore demand that all people in Germany, in addition to any existing offers from the health authorities, have at least one annual screening for sexually transmitted infections available from the health insurance companies (both GKV and PKV).