Canadians Views On HIV/AIDS, A New World Vision Canada Survey

Toronto, ON - According to a new Ipsos-Reid survey conducted on behalf of World Vision Canada, three-quarters (75%) of Canadians believe "HIV/AIDS is a worldwide epidemic best described as an international emergency," up 15 percentage points from the 60% witnessed in February 2004.

While "lack of education" tops the list (87%) as what Canadians perceive to be a key cause in the spread of HIV/AIDS (82% in Feb 04), the proportion that believe "the lack of political `will' in the international community" is a key cause in the spread of HIV/AIDS has increased the most since last year (58% today vs. 46% in Feb 04). The same proportion (59%) thinks poverty is a key cause (59% in Feb 04) and 41% think sexual violence is a key cause (not asked in Feb 04).

When it comes to what would help improve the quality of life for people living with HIV/AIDS, a strong majority of Canadians agree with each of the four factors surveyed: "Access to quality health care" (93%), "increased education and awareness of the disease and how it is transmitted" (92%), "cheaper and accessible medicines" (90%), and "reduction of poverty" (83%).

In addition, virtually all (95%) Canadians think it's important that the Canadian government help increase access to treatment for people living with HIV/AIDS in developing countries, with 60% who think it's "very important."

Thinking about the spread of HIV/AIDS and who is most vulnerable to contracting HIV/AIDS, last year a larger proportion thought men were most vulnerable in comparison to women, young girls, and young boys, but today the proportion that thinks each group is most vulnerable is fairly even: Men (24% today vs. 39% in February 2004), women (27% today vs. 19% in February 2004), young girls (28% today vs. 20% in February 2004), and young boys (12% today vs. 14% in February 2004).

Still thinking about this vulnerable group, most (61%) Canadians think they are more vulnerable throughout the world rather than in one particular region of the world (36%). Among those who think they are most vulnerable in one particular region, most (77%) say they are most vulnerable in Africa. And, thinking about the impact of HIV/ADIS in the world, 87% of all Canadians agree that Africa has been hardest hit (88% in Feb 04).

These are some of the findings of an Ipsos-Reid/World Vision Canada poll conducted from April 12th to April 14th, 2005. For the survey, a representative randomly selected sample of 1002 adult Canadians was interviewed by telephone. With a sample of this size, the results are considered accurate to within 1773.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, of what they would have been had the entire adult Canadian population been polled. The margin of error will be larger within regions and for other sub-groupings of the survey population. These data were weighted to ensure the sample's regional and age/sex composition reflects that of the actual Canadian population according to the 2001 Census data.

Please open attached files to view full press release and detailed tables.

For more information on this news release, please contact:
Jennifer McLeod
Senior Research Manager
Ipsos-Reid
416.324.2900
[email protected]

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Ipsos-Reid is Canada's market intelligence leader and the country's leading provider of public opinion research. With operations in eight cities, Ipsos-Reid employs more than 300 researcher professionals and support staff in Canada. The company has the biggest network of telephone call centres in Canada, as well as the largest pre-recruited household and on-line panels. Ipsos-Reid's Canadian marketing research and public affairs practices are staffed with seasoned research consultants with extensive industry-specific backgrounds, offering the premier suite of research vehicles in Canada--including the Ipsos Trend Report, the leading source of public opinion in the country--all of which provide clients with actionable and relevant information. Ipsos-Reid is an Ipsos company, a leading global survey-based market research group.

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