Knowledge of Risk Factors

---

• Knowledge of the risk associated with unsafe sexual practices is consistent across all demographic sub-groups with the exception of residents in British Columbia and those born outside Canada, who are somewhat less likely to cite this as a method of transmitting HIV (79 per cent in both sub-groups).
  
• Residents of British Columbia and Alberta are more likely to indicate the sharing of drug needles as a method of transmission (51 and 52 per cent, respectively), while those in Quebec are less likely to do so (35 per cent). People between 25 and 34 are more likely than average to cite shared drug needles (52 per cent), while those over 65 are least apt to do so (31 per cent). People who have children who are not yet in their teens are more likely to indicate the sharing of drug needles as a method of transmitting HIV (51 per cent), likely driven by the age of the respondent. Less educated and lower income individuals are less likely to be aware of this transmission factor (40 per cent of lowest educated and 37 per cent of lowest income earners). Those born outside Canada are also less likely to do so (39 per cent).
  
• Blood transfusions are more likely to be cited as carrying a risk of HIV transmission among residents of Quebec but less so among those in Alberta and the Prairies (48 per cent compared to 26 and 22 per cent, respectively). People between the ages of 25 and 44 are much more likely than average to cite blood transfusions as a method of transmission (41 and 40 per cent), while those over 65 are less likely to do so (18 per cent). Low education and income individuals and those with a low self-rated knowledge of HIV/AIDS are less likely to cite this method of transmission (30 per cent among those without a high school diploma), while people who have children in their pre-teens are more likely to do so (43 per cent).
  
• Higher education and income individuals are more likely to cite bodily fluids as a method of transmitting HIV (18 per cent among university graduates and those earning over $80,000), while the lowest income earners and people in Quebec are least likely to do so (eight and seven per cent, respectively).
  
• Contact with (infected) blood is more likely to be cited as a method of transmitting HIV among residents of Quebec (17 per cent) and those who are college educated (17 per cent). It is least likely to be cited among those with a low self-rated knowledge of HIV/AIDS (seven per cent).