TakingITGlobal HIV/AIDS Campaign Survey
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Please fill in and return
Dear Friends,
Here is a survey from TakingITGlobal which they ask you to fill
in and return to Liz Livelli mailto:elivelli@takingitglobal.org
This is meant especially for youth at the grassroots, but re-
sponses from others are welcome.
Many thanks and all best wishes,
Janet Feldman
mailto:kaippg@earthlink.net
--
TIG is focusing on combating Stigma and Misinformation as themes
for December. There is a bit of a questionnaire (agree / dis-
agree) type document that we are sending out globally to get
feedback. Please send it out to any networks or individuals that
may be interested in participating. The thing is that its gener-
ally meant for youth "on the ground", however, anyone that you
think of provide some insight would be greatly appreciated!!!.
The easiest thing is probably to just e-mail the document to
them and then have them fill it out electronically and e-mail it
directly to me at mailto:elivelli@takingitglobal.org . The dead-
line is November 15th. Thanks!
HIV/AIDS Stigma, Myths, and Misinformation
Please indicate if you agree or disagree with the following
statements and provide a short explanation of your reasoning.
Thank you!
1. HIV is the same as AIDS.
2. HIV only affects gay men - Its a gay disease.
3. We both have HIV so we dont need to use a condom during sex.
4. People over the age of 50 dont get HIV.
5. I have HIV
.I cant have children.
6. You dont need to use a condom during oral sex.
7. HIV can be cured.
8. I got tested right after I had unprotected sex and I was
negative
Im fine!
9. HIV is scary the best way to protect myself is to avoid
anyone who is HIV+.
10. It is your fault if you get infected you just have to stop
having promiscuous sex and using drugs to not get it.
11. I dont look for feel sick I cant be infected.
12. HIV/AIDS is only an African problem / only a threat in the
developing world, not the USA (Western societies).
13. The best way to control AIDS in the developing world is
through prevention. Costly treatment should wait until preven-
tion programs have been fully funded and deployed.
14. AIDS treatment in the developing world is impossible because
antiretroviral drugs are too expensive and because developing
countries lack the infrastructure necessary to deliver the
drugs.
15. An HIV vaccine will soon be available, and this will solve
the AIDS crisis.
16. HIV/AIDS Treatment is an invasion of Western medicine / cul-
ture.
17. Women can shed the HIV infection through their monthly
menstruation cycles.
18. You only get the virus if you have weak blood.
19. HIV is a punishment for moral shortcomings or lack of self-
control.
20. If you have HIV and you have sex with a virgin you will be
cured.
21. HIV/AIDS is a private matter that should not be discussed in
public.
22. Ordinary people can do very little to help in the fight
against AIDS.
EXPLANATIONS
1. HIV is the same as AIDS.
HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. AIDS is a collection of ill-
nesses that attack the body due to a weakened immune system.
2. HIV only affects gay men Its a gay disease.
According to the World Health Organization, 75% of adults who
are infected with the virus are heterosexual. Infections among
gay men have been on the decline, while infection rates within
the minority groups and women have been steadily rising.
3. We both have HIV so we dont need to use a condom during
sex.
Not true. Experts are seeing more and more incidences of re-
infection (or super-infection). There are several strains of
HIV and you can infect your partner with a different strain than
they were previously infected with (and vice versa). Also, when
HIV is exposed to medication, it can change (mutate) over time
these mutation can cause the medication to be ineffective in
treating the virus. If you re-infect someone with this mutated
strain of HIV, it makes treatment extremely difficult.
4. People over the age of 50 dont get HIV.
This is not true. Older adults (especially older males) make up
a rapidly growing group of infections. Anyone engaging in risky
behavior has the chance of becoming infected.
5. I have HIV
.I cant have children.
This used to be thought of as true due to the fear of transmit-
ting HIV to the child during birth or through breastfeeding.
This is not the case anymore. With the proper precautions taken
(before, during, and after birth) and the administering of medi-
cation specifically designed to prevent mother-to-child trans-
mission, the risk of infant infection can be reduced from 25% to
2 3%. Women dont need to give up their dreams of having a
family.
6. You dont need to use a condom during oral sex.
This is a very dangerous myth. You need to use a condom during
any sexual act in which there is an exchange of bodily fluids.
Oral, vaginal, and anal sex require the use of a condom.
7. HIV can be cured.
There are many claims of miraculous cures, but sadly there is no
cure. If you are infected, you can maintain your health for a
prolonged period of time through proper nutrition, exercise, a
healthy lifestyle, and sticking to your medication regime, but
this will not prevent the eventual deterioration of your immune
system and acquisition of AIDS.
8. I got tested right after I had unprotected sex and I was
negative
.Im fine!
Experts agree that 1 test is not enough. A series of tests
should be done to assure that you are HIV negative. It is sug-
gested that you get tested at the time of suspected exposure, 6
weeks afterwards, 3 months later, and then at the 6 month mark.
After 6 months if the test comes back negative, you can be sure
you are HIV free.
9. HIV is scary the best way to protect myself is to avoid
anyone who is HIV+.
Definitely not! You can not get HIV through being in contact
with the saliva or tears of someone who is infected. You cant
get it from hugging or casually kissing someone, sharing a glass
or food with an infected person, touching a doorknob or a public
toilet seat, or from a mosquito bite. It is not airborne and
does not live for a long period of time outside of the body. The
only ways you can contract HIV are through direct contact with
blood, semen, or vaginal fluid this is usually through a blood
transfusion or an unprotected sexual act, the sharing of needles
with someone who is infected generally associated with drug
use, or through the birthing process or breastfeeding seen
with infant infection.
10. It is your fault if you get infected you just have to stop
having promiscuous sex and using drugs to not get it.
This is not at all true. Socioeconomic structures around the
world constrain many peoples ability to make free choices re-
garding the behaviours that put them at risk for contracting
HIV/AIDS. Economic insecurity, gender and racial inequalities,
labor migration, and armed conflict all limit peoples ability
to avoid exposure to the virus.
11. I dont look or feel sick I cant be infected!
You can appear and even feel perfectly healthy. The virus slowly
breaks down your immune response it may take years for any
physical symptoms to manifest. This is important to keep in mind
when it comes to others as well. Just because someone appears
fine, doesnt mean that you shouldnt take every precaution to
protect yourself.
12. HIV/AIDS is only an African problem / only a threat in the
developing world, not the USA or Europe (Western societies).
It is true that there are fewer people infected in the developed
world and that the problem of HIV/AIDS is less publicized, but
this doesnt mean that it is not a threat! The fact is that when
protecting yourself is not made into a big deal, it can act as a
risk factor in contracting the virus. It is important to be open
about safe sex and not deny responsibility for your own safety
wherever you live.
13. The best way to control AIDS in the developing world is
through prevention. Costly treatment should wait until preven-
tion programs have been fully funded and deployed.
This is definitely not true. Prevention and treatment should
have equal roles in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Although pre-
venting new infections is important, there are already millions
of people fighting for their lives every day. We need to address
each human life with respect infected or not. Since wealthy
individuals have the chance to prolong and improve their lives
with treatment (HAART), it contradicts the principles of equal-
ity and human rights to allow tens of millions of others to die
without treatment. Prevention and treatment together have a syn-
ergistic effect we need a well rounded program to fight
HIV/AIDS effectively.
14. AIDS treatment in the developing world is impossible because
antiretroviral drugs are too expensive and because developing
countries lack the infrastructure necessary to deliver the
drugs.
Treatment (ARVs) should be a cornerstone in fighting AIDS in the
developing world, not something simply for rich businessmen.
Treatment for the poor is no longer unaffordable and both gener-
ics and cheaper brand names are becoming more readily available.
The infrastructure is present. It just needs the support of
NGOs and foreign governments to ensure that the programs effec-
tively reach the people both in the urban and rural areas. In
the end, the enormous costs of no treatment (both financial and
in human life) outweigh the cost of treatment.
15. An HIV vaccine will soon be available, and this will solve
the AIDS crisis.
This is not the case. While many advances have been made in vac-
cine research, significant gaps remain in the scientific knowl-
edge needed to develop an effective vaccine. By the time a vac-
cine has been developed and fully deployed in the developing
world, tens of millions more will have become infected and died
of HIV/AIDS if no other steps are taken.
16. HIV/AIDS treatment is an invasion of Western medicine / cul-
ture.
Although some traditional practices focus on natural healing,
rather than drugs, this does not mean either strategy is wrong.
The best plan for treatment is one that encompasses natural
healing (plants, herbs, oils, vitamins), Western medicine (Anti-
retroviral drugs), and care for a patients mental state
(through counselling, support groups, keeping busy within the
community). The entire person needs to be treated within their
own cultural context.
17. Women can shed the HIV infection through their monthly
menstruation cycles.
This is absolutely untrue. If anything, during this time of the
month, women need to take better care of their health because
essential vitamins can be lost or used up more quickly (includ-
ing Iron).
18. You only get the virus if you have weak blood.
This is a myth. There is no such thing as weak or strong
blood. HIV doesnt attack your blood; it attacks your immune
system (your T cells) through your blood. Ideas like this lead
to denial and cause carelessness rather than caution, therefore
leading to a higher risk of contracting the virus.
19. HIV is a punishment for moral shortcomings or lack of self-
control.
HIV can infect anyone!! It only takes one sexual encounter, one
act of indiscretion. It has nothing to do with morality or pun-
ishment. People who have become infected have fallen victim to a
silent killer. It is not just sex workers or drug users who ac-
quire HIV it is a blind disease that infects wives, young boys
and girls, school teachers, famous athletes, wealthy executives,
absolutely anyone.
20. If you have HIV and you have sex with a virgin you will be
cured.
This is a truly horrible myth about HIV!! Not only does it not
provide a cure for the infected person, but it encourages the
sexual abuse and infection of young children!
21. HIV/AIDS is a private matter that should not be discussed in
public.
Definitely not! Lack of communication about HIV/AIDS only leads
to misinformation, stigma, prejudice, isolation of those who are
infected, and an increased risk of infection for everyone else!!
People living with HIV/AIDS are productive members of the commu-
nity, who can offer a lot of insight into the disease and serve
as peer educators in prevention programs. Above all, those who
are infected need increased support rather than social scorn. It
is a devastating diagnosis with widespread effects over the fam-
ily and community.
22. Ordinary people can do very little to help in the fight
against AIDS.
No way!! AIDS activists have accomplished much in the fight,
both in the developed and developing world. Looking into the fu-
ture there are many things that you can do to help: educate
yourself and your communities, join larger organizations, raise
money, or lobby policymakers (just a few ideas!).