Social perception of AIDS in the general public: a French study

The paper presents the results of the first national survey about social perception of AIDS in a representative sample of the French general public (which was carried out in June 1987). A large majority of the French public (73.1% of respondents) support mandatory screening for HIV, and a significant part (21.9% of respondents) even favours isolation of AIDS patients. Results show the relations between false beliefs on transmission of AIDS by casual contact and willingness to agree with measures that carry a great danger of stigmatization for AIDS patients and HIV carriers; but strong correlations between support of coercive measures for prevention of AIDS and similar opinions on other controversial issues suggest that, for a fraction of the public, attitudes about AIDS are rather determined by a priori ideological and ethical values than by risk perception of the disease per se. Results also suggest that any ambiguity in scientific information about AIDS may increase social pressure, even among the most educated part of the population, for unnecessary measures. Tentative conclusions for public policy on prevention and information about AIDS are drawn.