Itziar Larizgoitia: “Young people consider the condom as something of the past, an old-fashioned thing”

– What reading does the Department of Health make of these data?

– They show us a fairly pronounced growth in the last four years in sexually transmitted infections. But it came from before. For ten years it was seen that cases were increasing, but the increase in the last four years is more rapid. It is significantly faster. It is not a phenomenon unique to Euskadi. It is happening in Spain, in Western Europe and in most European countries as well, and it worries us.

– Why have cases multiplied since the pandemic?

– We don’t know how to give an answer. At least one with a single cause. I understand that the reasons have to be of a social order, fundamentally. That is, changes in behavior at a social level, greater contact, more contact than there was before, without protection… We must study why this phenomenon is occurring.

– What is the profile of the Basque who contracts an STI?

– Fundamentally young, coinciding with the moment in which more, broader and more diverse sexual interactions can occur. The peak of cases is between 20 and 34 years old, but between 20 and 24 it has increased a lot.

– In the 2023 report of the AIDS and STI Plan, they were considered an “especially vulnerable” group. Because?

– Because it is where these types of infections are occurring in a more frequent and pronounced way, and because in that age group some social factors are occurring that are leading to this situation occurring. That is, a practice of more frequent, more varied sexual relations or with more sexual partners. In that sense, it makes them more vulnerable to infection.

– Is there a certain feeling of relaxation among young people?

– Possibly yes. A feeling of banality regarding the infection may also be spreading because it is known that we have a healthcare network that will deal with cases when they occur. This is also where the use of condoms comes in, which could have been considered something of the past, as something out of date. However, it is a very important element, it is the main barrier we have to avoid this transmission.

– Has its use decreased?

– Less than half of young people use it in their sexual relations and it must be valued again because its use has become trivial.

– How does one of these diseases affect the quality of life?

– The most common thing is to begin to notice local symptoms in the genital areas, which can range from rashes, redness, itching, secretions, edema, swelling, pain when urinating, having sexual relations, etc. Then this can progress to worse, to chronic inflammation in the pelvic area, which can generate many complications as the years go by. It can also generate chronic pain throughout the abdominal or pelvic area and can lead to infertility in the medium and long term.

– HIV is another sexually transmitted infection on the rise in the Basque Country, where almost two out of every three new cases correspond to people from other countries. How do you interpret this data?

– It must be taken into account that the social composition has changed a lot in Euskadi in recent years. Since 2000, people who came from other origins began to settle here and all of this has at least two aspects. On the one hand, social and sexual practices that perhaps respond to other patterns different from those that existed here before. Another way of behaving, of relating… And on the other hand, they are people who come from other contexts, who can carry viruses and bacteria, in this case HIV. So if there are people who come from places where there is a lot of HIV, they are proportionally more likely to bring it.

– The million dollar question. How is this increase in cases stopped?

– Using a condom is a great tool to prevent sexually transmitted infections. Not 100%, but it is prevented to a huge extent and it is an element that must be valued and seen as a useful instrument for everyone. For oneself and for one’s partner. On the other hand there is education. We are updating the materials that already existed and that have been used previously on affective-sexual education. It is important that they be updated because we have collectively changed in terms of our perception of sexuality at a social level and it is important that these materials adapt to new times.

– What should this ‘new’ sexual education be like?

– It has to adapt to reality and context. And the social reality has changed. In recent years there has been a great and very differential development regarding sexuality and the experience of sexuality in a different way, regarding people’s identity, the perception of gender and sex of each person. This has to be reflected in the new content.

– Last year Osakidetza launched an awareness campaign that referred to a well-known social network of contacts. Are these types of Apps a breeding ground for STIs?

– Much of the social change that has occurred has to do with the ease of pairing. In that sense, it is true that the management of applications that allow one person to contact another and contact exclusively in some cases to maintain relationships, makes it easier to maintain relationships. That has a little to do with it, although it does not mean that the application has a causal relationship.

– How often should a person who does not have a stable partner be tested for sexual infections?

– The first thing I would tell you is to use a condom. That is absolutely fundamental. Let’s assume that he doesn’t use it. It is normal for you to have symptoms if you have been infected. As soon as you notice them, go to your health center for treatment. Get tested if you don’t have symptoms… It would be strange for someone who has many sexual partners and doesn’t use a condom to have no symptoms.

– Is there a fear of the white coat?

– There may be. And shame. Especially in very young people who were not thinking that this could happen to them. We have to try to reduce or eliminate this and encourage all those young people who suddenly notice discomfort, itching, unusual secretions… to please immediately go to a health center. Health professionals are there to listen to you and treat you.

«Summer is one of the times where the most cases of STIs occur»

– Although STIs are not seasonal, like the flu, are there times of the year when there are more cases?

– Yes, because infections are associated with the frequency of risky sexual relations. A risky sexual relationship is one in which a condom has not been used with a person who is infected or may be infected. There are times of the year where they occur most and this is one of them. Summer, the parties that occur in spring, the ends of the academic year… are times where people meet more. It is something that depends solely on that. If there is going to be a massive party with a lot of sexual interaction in the fall, it will obviously also be a time where many cases can occur.

– Have we already overcome the issue of stigma or is it still a pending issue?

– It is essential to try to break or dissolve the stigma that may exist when someone presents or notices that something is happening to them. I think it is something that we all understand, that it can happen especially if precautions are not taken. That is why it is important to go to the health system, to health centers, to specific centers for sexually transmitted infections, to provide treatment and to be able to stop that infection as soon as possible and avoid passing it on to third parties. We have a very robust healthcare system.

– Is it common for one infection to coexist with another?

– Yes. The same person can develop several at the same time. Which, on the other hand, can later complicate everything much more.

– How long does it take from the moment the infection occurs until the diagnosis is reached?

– Very little time. The moment someone comes to the clinic with symptoms, tests are done to determine what it is, but something can be guessed. The diagnosis is quick and in a matter of a few hours or a day the infection is identified and specific treatment is given to that person.