Basic Knowledge
Canadians were asked if they know how HIV is transmitted. Most people (84 per cent) identified unsafe sexual intercourse, almost half (45 per cent) cited the sharing of drug needles and more than one-third (35 per cent) indicated that it could be transmitted through blood transfusions. Approximately one in eight provided more generic responses including that HIV is transmitted through bodily fluids (13 per cent) and through contact with (infected) blood (12 per cent). Only nine per cent of Canadians cited that HIV could be passed from a mother to her unborn child, and six per cent cited tattoos/body piercing as a method of transmission.
Six per cent of people believe that HIV can be transmitted by kissing and two per cent indicated mosquito bites. Less than two per cent think HIV is transmitted through casual contact, coughing or sneezing. A very small proportion (four per cent) were unable to provide an answer.
Knowledge of risk factors has remained consistent over time. In 2002, four in ten Canadians cited sharing drug needles and 89 per cent cited some form of sexual contact as methods of transmitting HIV/AIDS1. Additional research conducted recently has also identified Canadian knowledge of those risk factors. In 2002, 88 per cent believed that people who use injection drugs can transmit HIV to their sexual partners2.
Comparatively speaking, Canadians have also demonstrated that they are well informed about the transmission of other diseases such as Hepatitis "C". Past data has shown that Canadians were able to identify the major risks of transmission of this disease which are similar to those of HIV/AIDS3.
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