The 2022 edition of Sidaction ends on March 27. On the occasion of this annual weekend of fundraising, the association reported that young French people knew little about the disease and its consequences, while the HIV epidemic is far from over.
- In 2020 alone, 410,000 young people aged 10-24 were newly infected with HIV worldwide.
- Young people represent 14% of new infections in France.
Like every year, Sidaction is mobilizing for three days, from Friday March 25 to Sunday March 27, to raise public awareness and raise funds in the fight against HIV. Recently, the association has published the results of a new survey carried out by Ifop among 15-24 year olds.
Less than one in two respondents consider themselves well informed
In 2022, 69% of young French people consider themselves well informed on the issue of HIV/AIDS. In 2020, they were 74%, which totals a fall of 5 points. “The feeling of information among 15-24 year olds has decreased since the start of the pandemic and to date, we have not returned to pre-covid levels. As if the pandemic had obscured knowledge about HIV /AIDS”, worries Florence Thune, CEO of Sidaction.
For example, less than one respondent out of two feels well informed about where to go to get tested for HIV/AIDS. A figure in free fall since February 2019. “Despite the habit of screening acquired with Covid, the latter does not seem to have become a reflex for HIV, whereas it constitutes an essential tool for prevention”, continues Florence Thune. Only 48% of the young people questioned know of the existence of emergency treatment (TPE) if a risk is run, and half of those polled do not know that an HIV-positive person on treatment with an undetectable viral load does not transmit the virus. virus.
“HIV is moving away from the concerns of young people”
Misconceptions and false information related to HIV/AIDS also continue to flourish: 23% of young people think that the AIDS virus can be transmitted by kissing an HIV-positive person and another 19% of people surveyed think that the emergency contraceptive pill protects against HIV. “HIV is moving away from the concerns of young people because it has been made invisible, and has been for several years. 16% of those questioned also declare that they do not seek information on the AIDS virus, an increase of 7 points in 2 years”, explains Frédéric Dabi, CEO Opinion of the Ifop Group.
On the other hand, the trivialization of the question of HIV/AIDS is confirmed. 37% of young people questioned say they are not afraid of it, 40% mistakenly think that contamination is decreasing among young people and half of those polled believe that people living with HIV are not discriminated against.
“There is still a lot to do in terms of information to reverse the trend and this must start in a school context. Three sexuality education sessions per year are compulsory according to the texts, but in practice their implementation is insufficient. “, deplores Florence Thune. “It is urgent to resume prevention and awareness actions on HIV/AIDS and sexual health among 15-24 year olds. concludes the association.
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