Myths about HIV transmission: who endorses them, why do they and what are the consequences? (VIII International Conference on AIDS) (The Netherlands)

The Netherlands

Authors Theo Sandfort and Ernest de Vroome of the Department of Gay and Lesbian Studies, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands, and Gertjan van Zessen of the Netherlands Institute of Social Sexological Research, also in Utrecht, reported to the VIII International Conference on AIDS, Amsterdam, about myths of HIV transmission.

According to Sandfort et al., studies about people's knowledge of AIDS often report satisfactory, high levels.

These high levels are generally based on facts about HIV transmission or prevention which people should know.

The authors report that it is, however, surprising to see that quite often a substantial group of people still endorse myths about transmission or prevention.

These myths create potential barriers for effective HIV prevention and may also cause discriminatory reactions towards people who are …