Canadians are very knowledgeable about HIV/AIDS

On the whole, Canadians are very knowledgeable about HIV/AIDS. Most generally understand the nature of the disease, as well as methods of transmission and testing. Relatively few are misinformed about how one contracts HIV/AIDS or how to detect HIV. They show a general appreciation of the fact that men who have sex with men and injection drug users are among the top at risk groups in Canada. They also realize, for the most part, that while treatments are fairly effective, there is no cure for HIV/AIDS. There is very mixed appreciation, however, for the fact that AIDS is, in all cases, fatal. Even among the most knowledgeable, this fact is not well understood.

In spite of the high levels of knowledge about the disease, knowledge of government efforts in this area is quite weak. Very few know about the CSHA, or even areas of government focus. Nonetheless, they are quite supportive of government involvement in HIV/AIDS and generally place more emphasis on public education, prevention and research into treatment.

It is not surprising, given knowledge levels, that most Canadians view HIV/AIDS as a very serious issue, which is not diminishing over time. Relatively few Canadians view HIV/AIDS as a problem that belongs to someone else (e.g., third world, gay community, drug users). On the other hand, everyone reports an extremely low perceived personal risk of contracting HIV.

Most people report that they are generally comfortable with the idea of being around someone with HIV/AIDS, however, the discomfort increases when it comes to serving the public or going to school with one's child.