According to a survey by IFOP and Bilendi, preconceived ideas and false information related to the AIDS virus are worryingly increasing.
HIV, or human immunodeficiency virus, is a type of virus that can cause a condition called AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). HIV infection affects the immune system, which is the body’s natural defenses against disease. If left untreated, serious illnesses can develop. Common infections, such as the flu or bronchitis, can get worse, become very difficult to treat, or even lead to death. In 2019, 690,000 people died from AIDS-related illnesses worldwide. In France, according to Public Health France, 6,200 people discovered their HIV status in 2019. Among them, 26% were at a very advanced stage of the disease. Faced with this virus, a real mechanism of silence has formed in France with young adults. According to one FIFG study carried out among 1,002 young people aged 15 to 24, disinformation continues to increase on the subject. A few days before the Sidaction 2021 weekend (March 26, 27 and 28), the association is publishing the results.
33% of 15-24 year olds feel “poorly informed” about HIV, its transmission and treatment
Misinformation about HIV can be dangerous for young adults aged 15-24. According to the organization Sidaction, they feel invincible in the face of the AIDS virus. Yet the FIFG survey affirms that this segment of the population represents 13% of new discoveries of seropositivity in 2019 and this figure has stagnated for many years. “We fear that this absence of the question of HIV on the various information channels could have consequences on the preventive practices of young people. Among the people who declared that they had not used a condom during sexual intercourse, only 35% explained this by having both partners tested for HIV beforehand, a drop of 14 points. compared to 2020 “ explains Florence Thune, CEO of Sidaction. Taboos or preconceived ideas? Either way, misinformation related to the AIDS virus is increasing significantly. 20% still believe that the emergency contraceptive pill can prevent the transmission of the virus. 24% of 15-24 year olds believe that the AIDS virus can be transmitted by kissing an HIV-positive person. 23% of them (compared to 15% in 2020) say that HIV is transmitted by sitting on a public toilet seat and 18% believe that the virus is transmitted by drinking from the glass of an HIV-positive person.
Covid-19 overshadows awareness
At a time when the coronavirus monopolizes all health subjects and overshadows other diseases, it is essential to understand the subject of HIV / AIDS. “ The fight against the coronavirus epidemic cannot eclipse another. It is urgent to resume prevention and awareness-raising actions on HIV / AIDS and sexual health among 15-24 year olds, and thus avoid a worsening of the HIV epidemic among young people ” worries Florence Thune. The Deputy Director General of the FIFG, Frédéric Dabi, justifies these worrying figures, and rightly condemns the place of Covid-19 in the media to the detriment of other pathologies: “ Few subjects emerge and are treated apart from COVID-19, which imposes its pace and takes all the media space. The issue of HIV / AIDS, already barely visible before the health crisis, is even more absent from the media radars“. This context increases the minimization and invisibilization of the AIDS virus among respondents. Their representations confirm the deterioration of the feeling of information. 63% of respondents believe they are afraid of HIV / AIDS in 2021 compared to 72% a year ago. “This is the lowest score since the start of the barometer, we have seen a drop of 16 points in 2 years. ” continues F. Dabi.
AIDS, the leading cause of death in women aged 15 to 49
“AIDS is the leading killer of women aged 15 to 49 around the world.” @FlorenceThune, general manager of @Sidaction , presents the situation of the HIV epidemic in 2021. A situation far from satisfactory. ?? pic.twitter.com/wLyHLLMVI2
– The Scouts (@Eclaireurs) March 23, 2021
In this interview with the media Les Éclaireurs, Florence Thune, CEO of Sidaction presents the results of the HIV epidemic in 2021. The latter is far from satisfactory with 700,000 people who die of AIDS each year and 1.7 million of individuals who become infected. AIDS is positioned as the deadliest pathology in women aged 15 to 49 around the world.
