A global survey has found that Africans, West Asians and Latin Americans believe that HIV/Aids is the most important disease confronting them — while people elsewhere fear cancer.
The Gallup International/Markinor poll interviewed more than 50 000 people in over 60 countries between June and August for their annual Voice of the People survey.
They were asked for their views of the most important disease in their country.
Overall, four out of every 10 (42%) citizens in the countries polled around the world mentioned cancer as the most threatening disease — a concern shared in most countries, but not unanimously.
Twenty-seven percent rated HIV/Aids as the top disease and 15% heart attacks and strokes.
Three percent rated tuberculosis tops, two percent malaria and one percent Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, while eight percent rated other illnesses and four percent did not know or would not answer.
”Of the countries included in the survey, citizens of 19 of them believe that HIV/Aids is the most important disease with nine out of 10 South Africans confirming this. In fact, all five African countries included in the survey are amongst the first 11 that regard HIV/Aids as the most important disease,” Markinor said in a statement received in Johannesburg.
In the five African countries polled, two thirds of interviewees believed that HIV/Aids was the most important disease facing them.
”It is notable that the most important disease overall for global citizens — cancer — is mentioned by only one percent [of interviewees] in this region. Africa was also the region where most people mentioned the [United Nations] millennium goal of combating HIV/Aids… In Africa, women and young people are generally even
more concerned than other groups.”
Malaria was the second most frequently mentioned disease in Africa and was of particular concern for Nigerians (35%) and the people of Cameroon (31%).
The agency also said South Africans were broadly aware of the link between HIV/Aids and risky sexual behaviour and were generally knowledgeable about methods of protection.
More in-depth research, focusing on beliefs, opinions, attitudes and behaviour of adults with regard to HIV/Aids was also undertaken over the last three years. – Sapa
Estimated worldwide HIV infections: 60 094 374