Public understanding of HIV deteriorated in the UK between 2000 and 2005, according to a poll conducted for a major HIV charity.
A Ipsos MORI poll conducted on behalf of the National AIDS Trust revealed that 7% of adults thought that HIV could be transmitted by spitting, 4% from kissing, and 2% believed that the infection could be acquired from lavatory seats.
In 2005 over 7,000 new HIV infections were reported in the UK, yet the survey found that only 79% knew that HIV could be transmitted through unprotected sex between a man and a woman (a decline from 91% in 2000). There was also a fall in the number of people who thought that HIV could be passed on as a consequence of unprotected sex between men, from 88% in 2000 to 79% in 2005. The survey also found that 8% did not know how HIV was transmitted.
Although HIV infections are largely concentrated in London, residents of the UK’s capital had the worst knowledge about how the infection is transmitted, with only 70% recognising sex between men and women without a condom and 69% unprotected sex between men as involving risks.
Against a background of declining public understanding of HIV, the survey asked people about their use of condoms with new sexual partners. It revealed that 46% would always use a condom with a new sexual partner. In addition, 15% of people who had a new sexual partner in the last two years said they would rarely, or never use a condom with new sexual partners.
“We were very shocked to discover that while HIV is increasing in the UK, people know less about the risks of HIV transmission than they did five years ago”, said Deborah Jacks, chief executive of the National AIDS Trust. She called the results of the survey a “wake up call” not only “because people are putting themselves at risk of HIV, but also because ignorance about HIV is likely to encourage prejudice and discrimination.”
The survey was conducted in mid November 2005 and included results from 2,048 individuals.