THE SEX OF OUR NATIONS REVEALS DIFFERING ATTITUDES
A new survey has revealed differences in attitudes to sexuality, sexual health and HIV across the six nations (Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales, France and Italy). The Tackle HIV survey of over 6,000 adults across the six nations, which includes 1,000 surveyed in Ireland, showed that only 66% and 63% of people asked said they were completely accepting of homosexuality and bisexuality respectively.
Approximately one in ten claimed they were not at all accepting. In Ireland, 74% and 72% said they were completely accepting and supportive of homosexuality and bisexuality respectively.
The Tackle HIV survey, which was conducted as a part of the Sex of Our Nations report showed that attitudes to sexual health varied across the nations with 84% of people asked saying their sexual health is a high or very high priority (87% in Ireland). However, the results suggest otherwise with only 53% and 45% respectively saying they would consider having a test for either a sexually transmitted infection (STI) or HIV. Among Irish respondents, 57% said they would consider an STI test and 40% reported they would consider a HIV test. Only 31% and 18% of Irish respondents reported having had an STI or HIV test previously. 26% of Irish respondents said they would not consider a HIV test as they do not think they are at risk. This ranged from 24% in Italy to 33% in Scotland and Wales.
The survey - led by Welsh rugby star Gareth Thomas in partnership with Terrence Higgins Trust and ViiV Healthcare - also revealed a lack of understanding about who can be affected by HIV. Overall, 50% and 52% of people surveyed reported that they do not think heterosexual men and women respectively are at risk of acquiring HIV (46% and 49% in Ireland).
MANAGEABLE DISEASE
HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. ‘Immunodeficiency’ refers to the weakening of the immune system by the virus and if left untreated, infection with HIV progresses through a series of stages leading to late-stage HIV or AIDS. However, HIV is now a manageable chronic disease with medication working by reducing the amount of the virus in the blood, so much so that it does not show up in standard blood tests. This means the levels of HIV are so low that the virus cannot be passed on sexually.
Stigma can affect many aspects of a person’s life including accessing testing, treatment and services, mental health and relationships. 58% of people surveyed in Ireland reported that if their partner was diagnosed with HIV they would (17%) or might (41%) end the relationship.1 83% of those said it was because they were worried about acquiring HIV themselves. In fact, someone living with HIV on effective treatment cannot pass it onto their sexual partner, yet only 22% of people surveyed knew this. Knowledge was highest in Ireland (28%) and lowest in Italy (18%).
UNAIDS has set a goal of ending HIV/ AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.