lowest knowledge level about HIV/AIDS

This segment comprises only six per cent of Canadians. Individuals in this group are characterized by the lowest knowledge level about HIV/AIDS by far (100 per cent scored in the lowest range of the index, compared with only 21 per cent of Canadians overall). They also have a great discomfort around HIV infected people (61 per cent scored low versus 24 per cent in overall sample). This group does not particularly minimize the AIDS problem in Canada today as much less than it was ten years ago, however they are very likely to distance themselves from the issue of HIV/AIDS, believing that AIDS is a disease found mostly in third world countries, and among the gay people and drug users, and that people who contract HIV through sex or shared needles get what they deserve (78 per cent scored high on the distance index, compared to 41 per cent overall).

• In terms of knowledge, this group is very misinformed about methods of transmission and testing, as well as about groups most affected by HIV. Roughly half of this group believe that there is a cure for HIV/AIDS and are least apt to know that HIV involves the body's inability to defend itself against disease and infection.
  
• They tend to believe that HIV/AIDS is no less of a problem that it was ten years ago, in fact they think that the risk is increasing over time. On the other hand, they believe that health groups have exaggerated the problem.