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Mosquito bite, handshake, sweating, or even a hug… There are many preconceived ideas about the risks of HIV transmission which continue to increase in France, particularly among the youngest generations. A finding that alarms associations, including Sidaction, which is also concerned about the prejudices that persist about prevention, screening and the perception that young people have of the AIDS virus.
At the end of 2022, 39 million people were living with HIV worldwide, and 1.3 million people contracted the virus during the year, according to data published last July by the World Health Organization (WHO). If the number of new infections has fallen considerably since the mid-1990s, associations are increasing their vigilance to shatter certain prejudices and preconceived ideas which could nullify, if not diminish, the efforts made over the last decades, notably among the younger generations. An important thing if we consider that these preconceived ideas continue to increase among this population, as revealed by a recent survey made public on the occasion of World AIDS Day, set every December 1st.
Young people who say they are well informed but preconceived ideas persist
Carried out by Ifop for Sidaction, among young French people aged 15 to 24, this study* highlights a paradox which seems to have persisted for several years: respondents consider themselves generally well informed, but nevertheless continue to cultivate certain ideas received. According to the survey, nearly eight out of ten young people questioned (79%) say they are well informed about the AIDS virus, whether in terms of prevention, transmission or treatment. A figure that has been constantly increasing since 2021 (67%), although this feeling of information is not reflected in the concrete answers provided by respondents on representations associated with HIV/AIDS.
“This is the highest level of declarative information obtained since the Covid crisis which undermined awareness of HIV and sexual health. We must emphasize the declarative term because we see that there is still a lot of false information circulating. Preconceived ideas about people living with HIV have never been so present in the minds of 15-24 year olds. The stigma that these prejudices generate is more than worrying“, explains Florence Thune, general director of Sidaction, in a press release.
Modes of transmission still unknown
Preconceived ideas about the modes of transmission of HIV continue to circulate throughout the population, and are even increasing among younger generations. The survey shows that more and more people think that the AIDS virus can be transmitted by getting a tattoo or piercing (61%), by kissing an HIV-positive person (30%), via sweat (25%). , by sharing a glass of water (25%), via the public toilet seat (25%), by eating from the same plate as an HIV-positive person (23%), or by shaking their hand (16%) . Note also that more than three quarters of young people surveyed (76%) also think that the AIDS virus can be transmitted by having unprotected sex with an HIV-positive person under treatment.
When asked about the representations associated with contamination, French people aged 15 to 24 also appear feverish, with significant misunderstandings. Nearly four out of ten respondents (38%) believe, for example, that they are less likely to be infected with the AIDS virus than others. It should be noted, however, that 55% of the general population think so according to a previous survey** also carried out by Ifop for Sidaction. More than a third of young respondents (37%) also wrongly believe that there is a vaccine to prevent the transmission of the virus, 36% a treatment to cure it, and 21% think, once again wrongly, that the AIDS only affects homosexuals and drug addicts.
Prevention, a key issue
Nine out of ten young people are aware of the effectiveness of the male condom in preventing the transmission of the AIDS virus, just as 77% rightly believe this time that the female condom is also effective. On the other hand, more than a quarter of respondents (26%) believe, this time wrongly, that the emergency contraceptive pill can also prevent the transmission of HIV/AIDS. And the observation is the same for the use of an intimate toiletry product (24%), a traditional contraceptive pill (23%), and even a paracetamol tablet (19%).
These preconceived ideas are not without consequences on the way in which HIV-positive people are perceived, and therefore stigmatized. Four in ten young people would not feel comfortable if they found out that their child’s nanny was HIV positive. And this discomfort would also be felt towards the person with whom they would go on vacation (31%), their attending physician (31%), a colleague or friend (29%), their best friend ( e) (28%), or a teacher (25%).
“There is an urgent need to respond to these stigmas and intensify HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention. Today, HIV-positive people receiving effective treatment no longer transmit the virus. However, 63% of young people and all French people see a person’s HIV status as an important criterion for deciding to enter into a romantic relationship with them. These findings are appalling. Urgent action is needed for the mental health of HIV-positive people and the sexual health of young people“, warns Florence Thune.
Faced with this observation, Sidaction is launching the campaign “The Clicks of Temptation“, on the occasion of World AIDS Day, with the aim of shattering all of these prejudices.
*This survey was carried out online by Ifop for Sidaction, from October 19 to 26, 2023, among 1,003 people representative of the French population aged 15 to 24.
**This survey was carried out online by Ifop for Sidaction, from October 17 to 18, 2023, with a sample of 1,003 people, representative of the French population aged 18 and over.