[Social perception of AIDS risk]

An all-Polish study was carried out of a representative sample of 1402 adult subjects for establishing the level of social knowledge of AIDS, the character of attitudes, the consequences of informative activities etc. The AIDS threat was considered by the responders as low, with subjects with rather more loose sexual life fearing infection relatively less. It may be supposed that this was due to a greater experience with infections, better knowledge and lower threat awareness. The lack of threat awareness of the society seems to be determined in an equal degree by the low knowledge of AIDS and relatively small number of cases in this country. This limited knowledge of AIDS may lead to a more rapid spread of the disease, and, consequently, to panic reactions, intolerance and aggression against patients and risk groups. This could be prevented only by appropriate health education.