There is still much to be done to combat the stigma and lack of knowledge about HIV. And Italy, in the context of the most important international rugby tournament in progress, the Six Nations, presents an image in chiaroscuro about it. This is highlighted by the ‘Sex of Our Nations’ report, which reveals different attitudes and levels of understanding and stigma in the different countries taking part in the competition. This is a new survey of the ‘Tackle Hiv’ campaign led by Welsh rugby star Gareth Thomas, in collaboration with the Terrence Higgins Trust and ViiV Healthcare, which supports the initiative. The survey reveals differences in attitudes towards sexuality, sexual health and HIV infection in the 6 nations participating in the tournament: England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, France and Italy.
The survey, conducted on over 6 thousand adults in 6 countries – reads a ViiV Healthcare note – showed that only 66% and 63% of the people interviewed said they accepted homosexuality and bisexuality, respectively. One in 10 said they didn’t accept it at all. In France, one in five people (20%) confirmed that they do not accept it. Furthermore, 84% of people who were asked said that sexual health is a high or very high priority (in Italy the percentage was 94%, the highest). However, the results show that only 53% of people would consider getting tested for a sexually transmitted infection (STI) and 45% for HIV. That’s not all: only 26% and 22% reported having previously performed an Ist or HIV test, respectively; 28% said they would not consider an HIV test as they do not believe they are at risk. The latter figure is variable in the various countries: it ranges from 24% in Italy to 33% in Scotland and Wales.
“I am so frustrated that these attitudes still exist – says Gareth Thomas – Sex is still seen today as a taboo subject that people don’t like to talk about. This feeds the stigma on sexuality and sexual health, including sexually transmitted diseases. and HIV, which is very harmful. We need to improve people’s acceptance and understanding of sexuality and HIV to remove the stigma that prevents testing. The only way to know your HIV status is to undergo the test and we need to ‘normalize’ this test, so that it is not considered different from normal other screenings. Attitudes can change and I am determined to do everything possible to make this happen. ”
The investigation – the note continues – also revealed a lack of understanding about who may be at risk of contracting HIV infection. 50% and 52% of the people surveyed reported that they do not believe that heterosexual men and women are respectively at risk of contracting HIV. In fact, half of all new HIV diagnoses in England in 2020 were in straight people (49%), compared with 45% in gay and bisexual men. In France, 69% of people surveyed did not think heterosexual men or women were at risk of HIV, compared to 41% and 44% in Scotland.
“Unfortunately, I am not surprised by the results of the survey – comments Nneka Nwokolo, Honorary consultant physician in sexual health and Hiv Medicine and senior global medical director of ViiV Healthcare – Although some populations are particularly affected, anyone can contract HIV regardless of gender. from sexuality, age or any other factor. Yet people seem not to understand this. We are seeing an increase in late diagnoses, often in people who don’t think they are at risk, so they haven’t had the test. ‘HIV means early treatment and people with HIV who are treated effectively not only have the same life expectancy as anyone else, but they can live normal and healthy lives.’
Stigma – the survey reveals – can affect many aspects of a person’s life, including access to testing, care and services, mental health and relationships. 58% of respondents report that if their partner had been diagnosed with HIV, they would have (18%) terminated the relationship or considered this possibility (40%). 83% of these said that the motivation was the worry of contracting HIV. In reality, those living with HIV and on effective antiretroviral therapy cannot transmit the infection to their sexual partner, but only 22% of the people interviewed knew about it. Knowledge of this concept was highest in Ireland (28%) and lowest in Italy (18%).
In this regard, Antonella D’Arminio Monforte, president of the Icona Foundation, has no doubts: “Many people in the general population do not yet know the concept of U = U (Undetectable = Untrasmittable), which summarizes precisely that who, among people with HIV , takes an effective antiretroviral therapy, no longer transmits the infection. The consequences of the spread of this concept are enormous both for the reduction of stigma, affecting the social perception of HIV, and self-stigma, contributing to the facilitation of the so-called disclosure of people with the disease, thus also reducing social isolation “.
For Daniele Calzavara, activist of Milano Check Point, an association operating in the metropolitan area of Milan in the context of community-based prevention services, “we must not forget that the languages, experiences and reactions on inclusion issues – be they related to sexuality, HIV infection or sexual orientation – they are very different in different age groups and in the territory. social maturity, thus breaking down stigma and discrimination “.
The results of this survey “clearly show – concludes Maurizio Amato, General Manager of ViiV Italy and the Netherlands – how the social stigma and discrimination that people with HIV face are still very present today. It is important to take every opportunity to reflect on how much the stigma must be eradicated “.
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