A recently launched survey from the National AIDS Trust (NAT), 'HIV: Public Knowledge and Attitudes 2010', reveals a worrying decline in public knowledge and understanding of HIV in the last decade. Deborah Jack, Chief Executive of NAT tells us more.

Why research public understanding of HIV?

In recent years, general sexual health campaigns have made no reference to HIV and most HIV prevention activities in the UK have been focussed on the most affected communities: gay and bisexual men, and African men and women. But with an increasing number of people outside these communities becoming infected, looking at more general public understanding is increasingly relevant.

It is therefore worrying that in 2010 - when 95% of people diagnosed with HIV in the UK are infected through unprotected sex - one in five people do not know that HIV can be transmitted through sex without a condom between a man and woman. (The same proportion failed to identify unprotected sex between two men as a transmission route.)

As the number of people with HIV in the UK approaches 100,000, it is crucial for everyone to be fully informed of the facts about HIV so they can protect themselves and others.

We need to sort out the basics

It is often assumed that everyone knows the basics about HIV but this research shows that this is not the case.

Only 30% of people could correctly identify all the ways HIV can and cannot be transmitted from a list of possible options - and one in six people surveyed recognised that they do not know enough about protecting themselves from HIV during sex.

We have also seen a worrying increase in misconceptions about HIV transmission. Since the last NAT survey in 2007, the percentage of people who falsely believe that HIV can be transmitted through kissing and spitting has doubled.

Resolving misconceptions would not only help to reduce unnecessary fear of infection but also help reduce the stigma which is still associated with HIV.

A well-informed public?

Encouragingly, the majority of the public (70%) were aware that if someone becomes infected with HIV in the UK they are unlikely to die within three years. More than half the public were also aware that a significant number of people in the UK have HIV but do not know. This is a key message, as it is important not to assume that a sexual partner will be aware of their HIV status.

Many people, however, did not realise that heterosexuals now account for most new HIV diagnoses or that increasing numbers of older people are being diagnosed HIV positive. We know that a perception that HIV only affects 'other people' can make it easy for people to stick their heads in the sand and not take steps to protect themselves.

A great deal of confusion also surrounds the time taken to reach an HIV diagnosis - with over 40% of people incorrectly believing it was still necessary to wait three months to receive a reliable result and a further 37% stating that they 'didn't know' how long it would take.

Recognising the importance of HIV education

Our research showed that the public think HIV education is important. 85% of people believe that young people should be taught about HIV at secondary school and more than 4 in 10 people said that they, themselves, were interested in finding out more about HIV - with 16 to 24 year olds the group most likely to want to know more. It is important that we take advantage of this desire for information.

The role of healthcare professionals

Healthcare professionals potentially have an important role to play in reversing the decline in knowledge and increase in misconceptions about HIV.

At a basic level, it is important that HIV is explicitly mentioned in any discussions about sexual health and safer sex - but health professionals can also play a part in highlighting and busting the continuing myths around HIV transmission.

With more than a quarter of people with HIV in the UK unaware of their infection and currently more than half diagnosed late, it is really important that people are aware of the facts about HIV testing - not only how easy it is to get a test, but also the reduced length of time from infection to diagnosis and the speed with which results are available.

Increasing rates of HIV testing among people who have put themselves at risk will help to prevent the spread of HIV by people unaware they have it and potentially avoid complications arising from a late diagnosis. Raising awareness of effective treatment methods is also key to helping allay fears about a positive diagnosis and facing a future with HIV.

A call to action

Prejudice is born from fear of infection or negative judgements based on misconceptions and ignorance of the facts. When it comes to helping your clients protect themselves from HIV infection, knowledge is power.

We believe this survey demonstrates the importance of a well-informed and supportive public when it comes to both preventing HIV and addressing the stigma and discrimination still faced by many HIV positive people.

We must develop a strategic approach to tackle stigma and improve society's attitude towards people with HIV. Increased public knowledge of HIV must be a central element of such a strategy and we need your help to achieve this.

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Deborah Jack is Chief Executive of NAT (National AIDS Trust). Before joining NAT in December 2003, Deborah worked at Brook - the sexual health charity for young people - as Head of Policy & Campaigns and Deputy Chief Executive.

Article release date: 15th March 2011