Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2002. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2002. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Reuters NewMedia - November 25, 2002
A third of 18-24 year olds think there is a cure for HIV, which causes AIDS, nearly a quarter said they could be infected with the deadly virus through kissing and one in 10 people are convinced they can be infected through toilet seats.
The ICM poll released ahead of World AIDS Day on December 1 also found that only 19 percent of the 1,000 people questioned are concerned about sexually transmitted infections.
"It is worrying," said Mark Graver, a spokesman for the Terrence Higgins Trust a leading HIV/AIDS charity.
"Sex education in schools has never really been good enough and it is not delivered consistently," he told Reuters. "It is not informing young people about the truth of HIV and a whole generation of young people are not getting the basic information they need about sexual health."
He added it is particularly worrying because HIV infections have reached record levels in Britain and more people in Britain than ever before are living with the virus. Over 4,000 new cases of HIV were diagnosed last year and 60 percent were infected through heterosexual sex.
Figures for this year are expected to be higher.
Graver said it has been too long since national education campaigns have alerted people to the dangers of HIV/AIDS and a generation of young people are misinformed.
Nearly two-thirds of the people questioned for the survey commissioned by the charity said sex education in schools is inadequate but the same number of respondents said they were adequately informed about the risks of unprotected sex.
When asked about using condoms, 10 percent of people said they would not be worried about unsafe sex and just over 50 percent said they would be concerned about HIV.
AIDS is a syndrome, a combination of illnesses. HIV attacks the immune system and leaves the body vulnerable to a variety of life-threatening diseases, so-called opportunistic infections, such as tuberculosis.
The illness has killed 25 million people worldwide since the start of the epidemic more than 20 years ago. Sub-Saharan Africa is most affected by the epidemic.
021125
RE021129
Copyright © 2002 - Reuters, Ltd. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. Contact Reuters.
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Pacific Life Foundation and donations from users like you.
Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2002. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 2002. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .