More HIV/AIDS education needed
Although a lot of attention has recently been given to those living with HIV and AIDS in Africa, people across this country are still become infected with the disease.
In fact, approximately 56,000 people in Canada are currently living with HIV, and every year more than 5, 000 new cases are reported. Most alarming is that over half of the newly infected are under the age of 25, and an estimated 17,000 (30 per cent) of HIV-infected people in Canada are not aware of their infection.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is an illness that results from infection with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), of which impairs a body's immune system, resulting in a number of infections and cancers.
A study by The Council of Ministers of Education, Canadian Youth, Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Study: Factors Influencing Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviours, revealed there is a potential risk for HIV transmission in the youth population. The same study found that the use condoms by sexually active youth decreases as age increases. The same study also showed that approximately half of all grade nine students in Canada are oblivious to that fact that there is no cure for HIV/AIDS, and some students questioned believed that research has invented a vaccine to prevent HIV/AIDS, which is obviously false.
In order to promote youth awareness surrounding HIV/AIDS, CANFAR, the Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research, launched a program designed for university and college level students called the University Club.
“CANFAR is the only private funding organization in Canada whose goal is to raise awareness in order to generate funds for research into all aspects of HIV infection and AIDS,” said Elissa Beckett, executive director of CANFAR, who added that the program has raised $15,000 to date.
“The money these students have raised has a significant impact on HIV/AIDS research and they were able to deliver valuable HIV/AIDS awareness information to their peers, who otherwise may not have been exposed to it,” said Teresa Welsh, CANFAR's National Programs Manager.
Beckett added the one to three hours dedicated to sexual health education, which includes sessions on HIV and AIDS, over the duration of high school is not enough for students growing up in a sexually conscious society.
Becket said the biggest HIV/AIDS myth that exists among youth and adults is that the disease can be cure if treated early. Even though there are highly medicated and expensive cocktails available for patients, there is still no cure for AIDS.
In Canada, unprotected sex between men remains the main mode of transmission of the HIV infection (43 per cent of new diagnosis during the first six months of 2005). In 2004, women accounted for 27 per cent of new diagnoses, compared to just over 10 per cent in 1995.
“The ultimate way to end HIV/AIDS crisis is by research initiative. We are working in finding a fun way of engaging students in knowing more about sexual health”, said Beckett.
In fact, approximately 56,000 people in Canada are currently living with HIV, and every year more than 5, 000 new cases are reported. Most alarming is that over half of the newly infected are under the age of 25, and an estimated 17,000 (30 per cent) of HIV-infected people in Canada are not aware of their infection.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is an illness that results from infection with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), of which impairs a body's immune system, resulting in a number of infections and cancers.
A study by The Council of Ministers of Education, Canadian Youth, Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Study: Factors Influencing Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviours, revealed there is a potential risk for HIV transmission in the youth population. The same study found that the use condoms by sexually active youth decreases as age increases. The same study also showed that approximately half of all grade nine students in Canada are oblivious to that fact that there is no cure for HIV/AIDS, and some students questioned believed that research has invented a vaccine to prevent HIV/AIDS, which is obviously false.
In order to promote youth awareness surrounding HIV/AIDS, CANFAR, the Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research, launched a program designed for university and college level students called the University Club.
“CANFAR is the only private funding organization in Canada whose goal is to raise awareness in order to generate funds for research into all aspects of HIV infection and AIDS,” said Elissa Beckett, executive director of CANFAR, who added that the program has raised $15,000 to date.
“The money these students have raised has a significant impact on HIV/AIDS research and they were able to deliver valuable HIV/AIDS awareness information to their peers, who otherwise may not have been exposed to it,” said Teresa Welsh, CANFAR's National Programs Manager.
Beckett added the one to three hours dedicated to sexual health education, which includes sessions on HIV and AIDS, over the duration of high school is not enough for students growing up in a sexually conscious society.
Becket said the biggest HIV/AIDS myth that exists among youth and adults is that the disease can be cure if treated early. Even though there are highly medicated and expensive cocktails available for patients, there is still no cure for AIDS.
In Canada, unprotected sex between men remains the main mode of transmission of the HIV infection (43 per cent of new diagnosis during the first six months of 2005). In 2004, women accounted for 27 per cent of new diagnoses, compared to just over 10 per cent in 1995.
“The ultimate way to end HIV/AIDS crisis is by research initiative. We are working in finding a fun way of engaging students in knowing more about sexual health”, said Beckett.
