Wear the red ribbon
Thursday 9 November 2006
Most of you will have heard of HIV and AIDS, but how much do you really know about them?
The National AIDS Trust campaigns to raise awareness about HIV, AIDS and AIDS-related illnesses. It hopes to help us understand how HIV can be transmitted and how we can prevent more people from becoming infected.
Wear the Red Ribbon
The organisation is now running its annual Red Ribbon Collection Box campaign for World AIDS Day, which takes place on 1 December every year.
At a time when infection rates in the UK are at an all-time high, they aim to increase HIV awareness among young people and make HIV more visible in 2006 by getting more youth clubs to take a collection box and sell Red Ribbons.
Raise awareness
The National AIDS Trust reports that awareness of how HIV is passed on is now lower in the UK than it was five years ago, particularly in the age group of 15 to 24 year olds where the risk of contracting HIV among the hetrosexual commmunity is very low.
Their recent MORI survey showed that only 55% of young people would always use a condom with a new sexual partner. Unprotected sex (sex without a condom) puts everyone at risk of contracting a variety of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, as well as unplanned pregnancy. So always use a condom.
You can get involved
If your youth group or school would like to order a FREE collection box and Red Ribbons or if you simply would like to know the facts about HIV, visit: www.worldAIDSday.org.uk
Alternatively, visit World AIDS Day at MySpace, become a friend and show your support. Submit a picture or add a comment about what you are going to do on World AIDS Day and help to encourage others to take action.
If you or your youth club or school would like to buy any awareness raising materials from the National AIDS Trust's young people's range, 'Your choice....choose wisely' including posters, condoms, information cards and leaflets containing all the facts that you need to know go to the National AIDS Trust online shop, http://shop.nat.org.uk/
Find out more
For more information on HIV and other sexually transmitted infections take a look at NHS Choices or our handy guide.
Send us your thoughts on HIV and AIDS. Drop us a comment on our contact form or send us a video by emailing need2know@cimex.com.
