New Figures Suggest Worsening Public Complacency Of HIV Threat In Britain

A MORI poll published today by NAT (National AIDS Trust) to mark World AIDS Day finds that two-thirds of the public in Great Britain have not changed their lifestyle in response to HIV/AIDS despite the vast majority knowing that unprotected sex is the main cause of HIV infection.

A particularly worrying trend suggested by the survey is that HIV complacency is on the increase amongst young people, given that this age group is seeing rising rates of other sexually-transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancy. The survey shows that only 32% of those aged 15-24 in England agree that HIV/AIDS has made them change their lifestyle in some way, an 11 point drop from a similar MORI poll conducted last year in which 43% agreed.

The poll also indicates continuing evidence of HIV stigma in society with 57% agreeing that people who become infected through unprotected sex "only have themselves to blame" and only 14% saying that they would donate time or money to HIV - in contrast to many other medical conditions.

Derek Bodell, NAT Chief Executive said, "This poll shows that HIV complacency is alive and well in the UK today. It is of particular concern that the safer sex message is being ignored when condoms are effective in preventing not just HIV but other sexually-transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancy too. In an age where HIV infection is on the increase all over the world, public complacency is misplaced and the stigma attached to this disease is our greatest enemy."

The survey also finds that 1 in 4 adults in Great Britain - equivalent to over 10m people - feel that they don't know enough about the risks of HIV for people like themselves, and that the majority of people get their information about HIV from television shows such as Eastenders as opposed to health services such as GPs, clinics or government information leaflets.

Of the sample, 1 in 10 wrongly believe there is a cure for AIDS and a further 1 in 10 are undecided about whether a cure exists or not.

The findings follow new figures from the Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS) also released today which show that the number of people living with HIV in England and Wales is set to increase by 40% by 2003, while UNAIDS this week estimates that worldwide a staggering 3m people are expected to die of AIDS this year.

Commenting on the survey, Dr Barry Evans of PHLS said, "The number of people living with HIV in this country is increasing. Alongside this, cases of other STIs like gonorrhoea are rising, and this suggests that unsafe sex is on the increase. This is consistent with the NAT poll which showed that concern about HIV appears to be declining. Although there are drugs which can help to prevent the progression of HIV disease, there is still no cure, so we simply cannot afford to be complacent about HIV. Prevention remains the key to tackling this infection - we need to ensure that the safer sex messages get through to people and are acted upon."

Keith Winestein, NAT Campaigns Development Manager says "The fight against AIDS is now a fight against complacency - the attitude that HIV is 'not my problem' when the world is facing an AIDS crisis. On World AIDS Day we want people to take a stand against HIV stigma by wearing the Red Ribbon. With this one simple act individuals can make a real difference challenging the ignorance and prejudice that surrounds HIV."

The World AIDS Day campaign website at www.worldAIDSday.org contains information and ideas on how people can make a difference on HIV and an events guide to what's happening around the UK to mark 1st December. The public can get free, confidential information about HIV/AIDS and sexual health issues by calling the National AIDS Helpline on 0800 567 123 (available 24 hours).

Q1 If you were in a position to donate time or money to any of the following medical conditions on this list, which two or three, if any, would you be most likely to choose?

Q2 From which of the following sources would you say that you've heard the most about HIV and AIDS?

Q3 In which of the following ways, if any, do you think HIV can be passed from person to person?

Q4 Thinking about HIV/AIDS, could you tell me how strongly you agree or disagree with each of the following statements that I am going to read out?

* these questions were asked of half the sample (c1000) each

Technical details

1. MORI sample details MORI interviewed a nationally representative sample of 2,008 adults aged 15+ throughout Great Britain. Interviews were conducted face-to-face and in-home between 26-30 October 2000, and results weighted to the population profile. Comparisons with 1999 research are based on 1,688 adults in England only conducted for the Terrence Higgins Trust. Further details from John Leaman or Nita Bhupal on 020-7347 3000.
2. Press Centre - www.worldAIDSday.org/press For news and events about World AIDS Day from across the UK go to the campaign press centre at the web address above. The Press Centre is supported by Glaxo Wellcome HIV Care.
3. Electronic Images High-resolution images of the Red Ribbon and the World AIDS Day 2000 Poster featuring the 'No One Has Been Cured' message are available. Contact Gavin Hart at the number below.
4. Latest Statistics It is estimated that at the end of 1998 around 30,000 people were currently living with HIV in the UK - 10,000 of whom were unaware of their infection. It is estimated that once late reports are incorporated 1999 will see the highest number of new diagnoses on record, with over 3000 new HIV cases (source: PHLS - www.phls.org.uk/topics_az/hiv_and_sti/hiv/hiv.htm). Worldwide an estimated 36 million people are currently living with HIV and 22m people have died of AIDS since the pandemic began (source UNAIDS - www.unaids.org).
5. World AIDS Day World AIDS Day is the global annual campaign to improve public awareness of HIV and AIDS issues. Now in its thirteenth year, World AIDS Day is co-ordinated in the UK by NAT, funded by the Department of Health, and internationally by UNAIDS. The UNAIDS international theme for the campaign is 'AIDS: Men Make a Difference.'
6. NAT (National AIDS Trust) NAT is the UK's leading AIDS advocacy organisation. We work to improve the UK's response to HIV both domestically and globally. In addition to co-ordinating the annual World AIDS Day campaign we: engage decision-makers with HIV/AIDS issues; develop innovative policies to tackle the epidemic, protect the human rights of people living with HIV/AIDS; and campaign for greater global investment to find an AIDS vaccine. Web site: www.nat.org.uk