Men, women aware of AIDS, but don’t protect

The majority of sexually active people are aware of HIV/AIDS infection, yet almost half have not changed their sexual behavior to protect themselves, a recent survey shows. Some 10,000 men and women ages 16 to 45 in 14 countries participated in the poll, with 49% saying they have not altered their lifestyles to include safe sex practices. In the United States, where 900 people were questioned, 96% said they were aware of HIV/AIDS risks, but only 44% had changed their behavior.

The poll, commissioned for London Interna-tional Group, manufacturers of Durex condoms, finds that more people are concerned with their own or their partner’s sexual satisfaction during intercourse than with contracting HIV/AIDS or becoming pregnant. A total of 39% of respondents ranked sexual satisfaction of their partner as the most important factor, followed by 30% who named their own satisfaction as top priority. In contrast, only 16% listed not catching or spreading HIV/AIDS as a chief concern, while just 10% named an unplanned pregnancy as a leading priority item. Figures for both HIV/AIDS and unplanned pregnancy fell from last year’s totals, the survey’s executive finding states.