HIV/AIDS Center In Poland Launches Campaign To Curb Spread Of Disease

Main Category: HIV / AIDS
Article Date: 17 Sep 2008 - 10:00 PDT

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Poland's National AIDS Centre has launched a campaign called "Return Without HIV" aimed at encouraging people to take HIV tests after traveling to regions with high HIV/AIDS burdens, The News reports. According to the center, people between ages 18 and 39 are most at risk of HIV in Poland in part because they often travel without their partners. In addition, risky sexual behavior during holiday trips now is one of the most common ways of contracting HIV in the country, the center said. The campaign was launched in July and will end on Dec. 1, 2009, which is World AIDS Day.

The campaign also encourages people to practice safer-sex behaviors at all times, even when traveling. "No matter who you are, where you are, what you do or what your beliefs are, HIV and AIDS might also concern you," a campaign message says. According to the center, although many Polish citizens are aware of HIV/AIDS, they do not believe they are at risk of the disease. The number of new HIV infections in Poland could be decreased by 30% if HIV-positive people were aware of their status and took prevention measures, the center said. Anonymous HIV tests are offered at no-cost in Poland, according to The News (The News, 9/15).

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