Young people 'see HIV as shameful'

The level of stigma surrounding HIV in Britain is similar to that in South Africa, new research shows.

One in seven young people in Britain would not be willing to remain friends with someone if they had HIV, according to a survey by Ipsos Mori.

A fifth of youngsters interviewed in South Africa, the country with the highest number of HIV infections, said they would not remain friends with someone who contracted the disease.

In Kyrgyzstan, where HIV is a growing problem, the figure was almost half of young people questioned.

Alyson Lewis, HIV adviser at the British Red Cross who commissioned the survey, said: "The stigma and secrecy attached to HIV is having a direct impact on young people's ability worldwide to access information and talk openly about their fears and concerns about the spread of this devastating pandemic.

"Almost half of British young people interviewed would want to keep it a secret if a member of their family was living with HIV.

"Many young people view HIV as a shameful secret, and we need to ensure that we demystify these fears and help young people to be more aware of the risks and how to protect themselves."

The figures were released as the British Red Cross launched a campaign to raise awareness of HIV.

'HIV: What's the story?' is aimed at educating youngsters about the disease.

Three hundred people aged between 14 and 25 were questioned in each of Great Britain, Ethiopia, South Africa and Kyrgyzstan.

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