On a recent HIV study presented by Merck Research Laboratories, there were some interesting facts that came out via recent research that focused on Millennials and Gen Z on their lack of knowledge about this disease:
· Survey findings showed a profound lack of accurate sex and HIV education among all participants, however the trend worsened in Gen Z
o More than two-thirds of HIV-negative young adults said they were most concerned about getting HIV as compared to other sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
o 54% of HIV-negative respondents did not report using condoms or pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to protect themselves against the HIV virus and other STIs
· Although millennials and Gen Z did not experience the start of the HIV epidemic firsthand, they still perpetuate the stigma seen in the early days of HIV
o More than one quarter of HIV-negative millennials said they have avoided hugging, talking to or being friends with someone with HIV, and 30% said they would prefer not to interact socially with someone with HIV
o People with HIV who take HIV medicine as prescribed and get and keep an undetectable viral load (or stay virally suppressed) have effectively no risk of transmitting HIV to their HIV-negative sexual partners. The survey found that respondents had varying perceptions about what it means to be undetectable and the risk of transmitting the virus to another person.
o 84% of Gen Z and 65% of millennials living with HIV who are abstaining from sex do so because of their HIV-positive status
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