Segment Three: Moderately Informed Concerned

Segment Three: Moderately Informed Concerned

This group includes 14 per cent of Canadians. These individuals have middle levels of knowledge about HIV/AIDS (56 per cent scored low and 44 per cent scored in the mid-range) and are moderately comfortable about being exposed to HIV infected people (30 per cent scored low). On the other hand, they are quite concerned about the issue, and do not believe that AIDS is much less of a problem in Canada today than it was ten years ago (89 per cent). They are less likely than many other Canadians to distance themselves from the issue, typically disagreeing that AIDS is a disease contained to third world countries, the gay community or drug users and they do not believe that HIV infected people get what they deserve (29 per cent scored low versus 23 per cent overall).

• This group has an average level of knowledge and as such their responses regarding methods of transmission, testing, most affected groups and whether or not there is a cure are generally reflective of the national results.
  
• In terms of perceived risk, they are the most likely group to believe that it is becoming greater than it was five years ago. Most (80 per cent) believe that the rate of HIV infection is increasing compared to ten years ago, although they are somewhat more likely than average to believe that there is a cure for HIV/AIDS. Two in three (69 per cent) believe that the federal government should spend more on HIV/AIDS today.