The numbers are worrying, and keep increasing. Almost a quarter of 15-24 year olds (23%) consider themselves ill-informed on AIDS, according to a poll revealed this Sunday, March 31 speak Sunday Newspaper (JDD). For ten years, the Ifop institute has been carrying out this annual barometer for the Sidaction association. And in a decade, the feeling of lack of information among young people has increased by 12 points. A number “Record”, which has never been higher.
“Even if this feeling remains in the minority, we observe a dropout, explains Frédéric Dabi, Deputy Director General of Ifop interviewed by the JDD. All our indicators show a worrying situation. There is a relative lack of interest among young people in AIDS. “
The “superhero syndrome”
In addition, 21% of respondents say they are not afraid of the virus. A phenomenon that Fréderic Dabi describes as the “Superhero syndrome”. Young people actually lack knowledge about the disease and how it is transmitted. Prejudice remains around the virus: 28% believe that HIV can be transmitted during safe sex with an HIV-positive person. In question ? Lack of education on the subject. More than 20% of middle and high school students say they have not received a specific course on AIDS. 73% believe that they are not sufficiently informed by the National Education.
Positive point of this survey, underlined by the JDD, young people have fewer risky practices. In 2018, they were 8% to declare to have been exposed to a risk, against 14% in 2017. Let us recall however that according to an Opinion Way survey published last December, they still do not protect themselves and still do not screen themselves enough. . Only one in two students consistently put on a condom during sexual intercourse. Only 3 in 10 declared that they proceeded to a screening with each change of partner.
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