For the students, the condom seems to be seen more as a constraint than as an essential tool to protect against the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Therefore, many only use it for the first sexual intercourse.
Associations fighting against HIV are concerned about this “relaxation” among young people when it comes to wearing condoms. A trend that suggests that young people minimize the dangers of HIV and the risk of contamination during sex. A generational question, illustrated by a Harris Interactive survey carried out for Smerep, a student mutual fund: in 2014, 33% of students said they never wear a condom. They were 30% in 2013. For this survey, 500 students from all over France and 700 from Ile-de-France were interviewed. In terms of screening, the young people surveyed do not seem very concerned either: a third never have recourse to a HIV testwhen changing partners.
Awareness still has a long way to go with young people who did not grow up with the development of the AIDS virus in the 80s. “There is a form of trivialization of AIDS, explains to AFP Renaud Bouthier, director d’Avenir Santé – an association committed to the health of 15-25 year olds. It has become an established societal phenomenon. There is less of this emergency report vis-à-vis the disease.”
The over 50s are also little affected
But young people do not seem the only ones to feel little involved. A recent OpinionWay survey revealed that among those over 50, only 12% say they feel concernedby the risk of infection.
>> To read also: World AIDS Day
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