sources for HIV/AIDS-

Canadians were also asked about where they have obtained information about general health matters in the past. On the whole, the information sources for general health matters are similar to the sources for HIV/AIDS-related information. The chart on the next page indicates the difference in the percentage of people citing a particular source for HIV-related information over general health information. The top four sources remain unchanged, although more people mentioned television news and newspaper articles as a source of information about HIV/AIDS relative to general health. School and family or friends are also more likely sources for HIV/AIDS information. It is interesting to note that doctors and the Internet are relied upon for HIV/AIDS information much less frequently than they are for general health information.

• Youth and those who perceive a decrease in the risk of HIV infection are less likely to identify television news as a source of general health information. It is highest among upper education and income individuals.
  
• Residents in the Atlantic region are less likely to cite television health programs as a source of general health information (12 per cent). Unlike sources for information on HIV/AIDS, patterns do not differ on the basis of income.
  
• As with using newspaper articles to get information on HIV/AIDS, use of this source for general health information increases with age, education, and income.
  
• Residents of Alberta are more likely to cite websites and the Internet as a source for general health information compared to their use of these sources for HIV/AIDS information (21 per cent compared to eight per cent).
  
• Residents of Ontario are most likely across the country to cite doctors as a source for general health information (23 per cent), as is the case for information on HIV/AIDS.