AIDS prevention: More awareness needed in Malta

Although the majority of the Maltese are highly aware of AIDS and how it is contracted, a high proportion of the population is misinformed, an EU survey has found.

Asked to answer three statements on how AIDS is contracted, Maltese respondents to a Eurobarometer survey scored the lowest level of awareness among EU citizens.

Almost all the EU 25 respondents seem to be well informed about the risk of being injected with a needle used by someone who has AIDS or is HIV positive.

"With a result of 99 per cent, Cypriots are the most aware of this danger. With the exception of Malta, all other countries obtained scores above the 90 per cent mark. The Maltese results are noteworthy since only 89 per cent believe that this way can lead to contracting HIV. Furthermore, it is even more painful to note that 10 per cent of the Maltese do not think it is a way of contracting HIV," the survey notes.

The same trend resulted in the answers to statements on the risk of contracting AIDS from blood and by having unprotected sex with someone who has AIDS or is HIV positive.

The survey conclusions note that "even here, the only exception (among the member states) is once more Malta for which nine per cent do not believe having sex without protection is a way of contracting HIV".

Only 86 per cent of the Maltese replied correctly. In all the other countries the rates of correct answers reach 90 per cent or more."

On the other hand, 63 per cent of Maltese respondents said they took precautions when having sex.

The same results were attained when respondents were asked if they are seeking stability in their choice of partner to minimise the risk of becoming infected. Twenty-four per cent said they don't take any precautions when having sex.

Generally speaking, misconceptions are still high. For instance, only 40 per cent of all EU respondents know that it is not possible to be infected by HIV when kissing on the mouth.

Health and Consumer Protection Commissioner Markos Kyprianou said: "We have to promote education, the use of sterile needles and syringes, and especially safer sex as complacency leads particularly the young to underestimate the potential risk."