A recent report released by the MAC AIDS Fund, reports that U.S. teens can benefit from more education on HIV. The survey, conducted by Kelton Research between May 22-June 5, 2014, surveyed 1,039 American teens ages 12-17 on their views on HIV stigma, transmission, and prevention.
Some of the highlights from the report include:
* 9 out of 10 (88%) believe they are not at risk for contracting HIV. Also, one-third (33%) were not aware that HIV is a sexually transmitted infection.
* 50% of respondents are afraid of contracting HIV and would be nervous if they were to get an HIV positive diagnosis (93%), around the same percentage as if they were to get a positive pregnancy test (94%) or have to engage in first-time sexual activity (91%)
*While the belief that their risk of contracting HIV is low, the respondents were far more likely to believe they are at greater risk for developing cancer (38%), diabetes (33%), heart disease (28%) or obesity (22%) during their lifetime.
*While most believed that using a condom (71%), abstaining from sex (58%), or getting testing for HIV regularly can prevent the spread of HIV (55%), most did not know that HIV prevention also includes reducing the amount of sexual partners (47%), not using alcohol or drugs (33%) or talking with others about prevent HIV prevention (29%).
*While teens feel they can benefit from more education on HIV and AIDS and are open to having more discussions on prevention and transmission (59%), 45% admit that having these conversations makes them uncomfortable.
*Teens would feel ashamed (53%), scared (69%), and feel that others would be afraid of them (50%) if they were to be diagnosed with HIV. Also, if they were to meet someone with HIV, 24% wouldn’t want to share food or drink with that person, touch them (31%), or treat them as a normal person (51%).
Nicole’s take: Other than age, we don’t know much else about the survey respondents. Where’s the rest of the information? Can we at least get a breakdown of the data based on age range? I understand that not all quantitative data collection is solid, but I feel that we’re missing some valuable information by not including other factors. It would have also been great to see how the beliefs of the respondents break down based on geographic region, gender, race and ethnicity, urban versus suburban or rural location, grade level, or age of onset of sexual activity. That would have also been interesting to know if the students who reported receiving sex education from schools (56%) or from family members (38%) were receiving abstinence-only education or comprehensive sex education.
Despite these shortcomings, Dr. Gil Ross, executive director of the American Council on Science and Health, says, “[P]ublic health educational outreach that was successful during the height of the AIDS epidemic and for a decade thereafter focusing on ‘safe sex’, ‘wear a condom every time,’ etc., may be losing its hold on the short-attention span generation with us now”.
To speak to Dr. Ross’ quote, we need to start thinking of more creative ways to education not only young people, but adults as well on how HIV is transmitted, what treatments are available, and how to prevent HIV. We also need to distribute funding evenly in HIV treatment and prevention research. While the focus has been on men who sleep with men (MSM) in recent years, despite not having enough information, this survey proves that stigma reduction and creative educational techniques are needed for our young people to help stop the spread of HIV. Also, having more discussion on HIV as a treatable yet preventable condition rather than something to be ashamed of can also increase teens’ ability to know what universal precautions to take to prevent HIV (and what myths perpetuate stereotypes that continue to stigmatize people living with HIV). It’s easier said than done, of course, but it’s a start.
