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A series of studies
released late last year reveal that although the nation recognizes HIV/AIDS
as a serious threat to public health, many young people are still not
taking the necessary steps to protect themselves. While there is some
concern that the recent introduction of new drug therapies may give the
false impression that the pandemic is nearing its end, it appears that
the public still sees the urgency for prevention and further research.
A survey conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation showed that 83% of
respondents consider HIV/AIDS to be a “major threat to public health,”
and 89% agree that by now all adults should know how to protect themselves
from infection. Unfortunately, this apparent awareness is not mirrored
by equally widespread risk reduction behaviors among the nation’s youth.
In a
joint study between Yale University and the MTV cable network, it was
reported that 87% of young people do not consider themselves to be vulnerable
to HIV infection. Ninety percent of the 12-34 year olds surveyed said
they had not engaged in any behavior putting them at risk for HIV, yet
over half of the unmarried respondents admitted that they had not used
a condom the last time they had sex. Twenty-five percent of the respondents
cited television as their main source of information on health-related
issues. Nevertheless, the viewers asserted that they do not believe the
media has provided them with enough information on such topics as pregnancy
prevention, AIDS, and warnings about unprotected sex.
The
failure of college students to protect themselves from HIV and other sexually
transmitted diseases (STDs) was documented by the first college-based
health risk behavior survey conducted by the Division of Adolescent and
School Health of the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and
Health Promotion at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Eighty-six
percent of students reported having ever engaged in sexual intercourse.
Of the 62.4% percent who were sexually active within the 30 days preceding
the survey, only 27.9% said they used a condom “most of the time” or “always.”
These findings indicate that many of the nation’s college students continue
to be at considerable risk for unplanned pregnancies and STDs, including
HIV.
It appears
that this trend is not unique to the United States. The condom manufacturer
Durex recently released the results of its second Global Sex Survey. Ten
thousand people between the ages of 16-45 were interviewed across 14 different
countries about their sexual attitudes and behaviors. The study showed
a decrease in concern about unplanned pregnancies, STDs, and the spread
of HIV. Durex reports that 96% of U.S. respondents are aware of HIV and
AIDS, 65% are worried about infection, but 44% had not changed their behavior
to reduce their risk, and only 13% use a condom every time he/she has
sex. What this and the other recent surveys highlight is the gap which
exists between awareness and subsequent risk reduction behaviors.
Source: Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention. (1997). Youth risk behavior surveillance:
National college health risk behavior survey – United States, 1995. Morbidity
and Mortality Weekly Report, 46 (SS-6), pp. 1-31.
Durex. (1997). The
1997 Durex global sex survey. http://www.durex.com.
Kaiser Family Foundation.
(1997). Do Americans think the AIDS epidemic is over? http://www.kff.org.
Painter, K. (1997,
December). Americans have realistic view of AIDS.
USA Today,/I>, p.
1D.
Verdon, L. (1998,
January 6). AIDS warnings unheeded by many young people. Washington
Post
| F.I.S.H. Net |
| VOL. 3 – NUMBERS 5, 6 |
February/March 1998 |
Support
for this document was provided through Cooperative Agreement
U87/310178-01 with the Division of Adolescent and School Health,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Cooperative
Agreement Staff
Paul
R. Sathrum
Project Coordinator |
Vicki
J. Harrison, M.S.W.
Project Associate,
F.I.S.H. NET Editor |
NEA HIN
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