Maintain pressure on reforms to protect NHS'Wake-up call' needed as British women shun HIV tests
A sexual health study has revealed that nearly three quarters of British women have never been tested for the disease.
The MAC Aids Fund, which commissioned the study, said the gulf between perception of the disease and the reality of its prevalence in Britain should act as a “wake up call” to the 63% of participants who did not use condoms because they were in an exclusive relationship and did not consider themselves at risk.
The poll had been organised to shed light on British women’s attitudes towards condoms - the only form of contraception guaranteed to prevent transmission of HIV and AIDS.
Some 82% of British women admitted having sex without a condom, with a further 35% saying they trusted their partner was not HIV positive.
A total of 62% of respondents said they did not consider HIV and AIDS to be a threat in their community despite diagnoses of the disease tripling in the past ten years.
Nancy Mahon, executive director of the MAC Aids Fund, said: “The survey insights are a wake-up call that we need to improve HIV awareness and access to prevention methods for women in the UK. While HIV is 100% preventable, it’s not curable.
“When people know their status, they’re more likely to practice prevention - which for now is the end game in this epidemic we are sadly losing.”
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