HIV on the rise among students: foundation

Taiwan Blood Services Foundation official Lin Min-chang said that according to statistics provided by blood donation centers, 80 blood donors — a ratio of 4.3 per 100,000 — were found to be HIV-positive in 2009, with nearly one-third, or 26 of them, students.

That ratio was the highest for any demographic group, far exceeding military servicemen, who accounted for 22.5 percent of HIV-positive donors.

The military has generally accounted for the most HIV-positive donors in the post, averaging 18 percent of the total.

The trend worsened in the first three months of 2010, Lin said. Blood donation centers have reported 22 HIV cases, with students accounting for nine of them, or 40.9 percent. Nineteen of the 22 HIV-positive donors were in the 17-29 age bracket.

“This shows that the number of young Taiwanese who have been infected with the AIDS virus may be on the rise, and it is worthy of society's attention,” Lin said.

Appearing at the same news conference, Taiwan AIDS Foundation Secretary-General Lin Chiung-chao revealed the results of a survey conducted by the group on the attitudes of Taiwan's people toward AIDS.

The poll, which surveyed 303 parents who had children aged between 7 and 25, found that nearly half of the respondents (48.9 percent) were indifferent to AIDS-related information, she said.

At the same time, 33 percent thought only those “lacking morals” or “leading a fast life” were HIV-AIDS prone.

Although 78 percent said they were willing to live with their family members if they contracted the virus, only 56.3 percent would be willing to work alongside colleagues who had the disease, the survey found.

Meanwhile, Lin Chiung-chao noted that using condoms is an effective way to prevent AIDS, but that according to the survey, 95.8 percent of the parents questioned had not taught their children how to use them.

In addition, 60 percent said they did not have condoms in their houses.

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