In the 80s and early 90s when HIV/AIDS was new, programs were developed to inform North Americans about the virus. Today HIV/AIDS is bigger than ever, in the media more than ever, more help is available than ever - but young Canadians don't know any of the life saving details!
When I first saw the job application for HIV/AIDS Radio Program Advisor,
I didn't know the difference between HIV and AIDS. I didn't know how the virus progressed. Unfortunately, I'm not an extreme case.
About two-thirds of grade 7 students, half of grade 9 students, and a third of grade 11 students don't know AIDS has no cure, according to the AIDS Committee of Toronto (ACT).
Canadian youth are having sex younger. The good news is kids, 15-17, are more likely to use contraceptives than their older sexually active counterparts. The bad news is condoms aren't the protection of choice.
A 2001 British Columbia study surveyed 15,000 grade 7 to 12 students. About 76 per cent of youth reported using protection of some kind, but only 49 per cent of them used condoms.
Younger students were more likely to use condoms - but they were also more likely to use no protection. By grade 12, the preferred contraceptive was the pill.
The problem is - birth control pills don't protect against HIV or STDs. You need a physical barrier.
For more on this study go to:
Country Report for Canada. (2001)
Knowing vital details helps us protect ourselves and others – at home and overseas - from both infection and prejudice.
Check out the HIV/AIDS fact sheet.
Check out this great website for HIV+ youth, +Live Positive.
