“I play fair, I use condoms” – this is the slogan of the National AIDS Center in connection with Euro 2012, launching the FAIR PLAY social campaign on HIV prevention – it was announced on Tuesday at a press conference in Warsaw.
The campaign is addressed to fans, mainly young people, aged 18-39, engaging in risky sexual behavior. “There may be a lot of such risky situations during this year’s European football championship. That is why we will try to convince fans to have fun during football games, but to avoid risky behaviors that may lead to HIV infection, ”said Anna Marzec-Bogusławska, director of the National AIDS Center.
Experts estimate that in Poland there are 30-35 thousand. people with HIV, and more than half of them are unaware that they are infected. Experts admitted that it is not much compared to other countries, but from June 8 to July 1, during the European Championships, stadiums in Poland will be visited by hundreds of thousands of fans from all over the world, and some of them may be carriers of this virus.
“The greatest threat may be posed by fans from Eastern Europe, where we are dealing with the explosion of the HIV / AIDS epidemic,” said the head of the National AIDS Center. In Our Country, it is estimated that there are 1,2 million people infected with HIV, and in Ukraine, from 300 to 500. She added that Eastern Europe is the only region in the world where the number of people with HIV has tripled since 2000.
According to experts, Poles are not prepared for this potential threat, as many believe that HIV does not concern us. Only 9 percent. Poles have taken an HIV test at least once in their lives.
“We would like to point out that during the championship it is worth following a few safety rules, because the lack of infection today does not protect against infection in the future, in the near future,” emphasized Marzec-Bogusławska. She urged people to avoid accidental sex, use condoms, avoid contact with blood without adequate protection, e.g. without disposable gloves in the medicine cabinet.
It is also worth keeping an eye on your drinks when they are already open, so that someone does not add any agent (e.g. intoxicating) – experts advised.
Aleksander Sopliński, the undersecretary of state in the ministry of health, said that following the basic rules also protects against other sexually transmitted diseases. It is mainly about syphilis, yeast and chlamydiosis caused by bacteria (causing inflammation of the reproductive organ that may cause infertility and complications of pregnancy in women – PAP).
“We also promote fidelity, which consists in taking responsibility for our own and our partner’s health,” said Marzec-Bogusławska. She added that a condom reduces the risk of infection, but does not completely protect against it.
People who want to be tested for HIV can do it anonymously and free of charge at 31 diagnostic and consultation points throughout the country. Information on this subject can be found on the website: www.aids.gov.pl.
Should you need treatment for AIDS, you can take advantage of antiviral treatment, which is free. “We use the latest methods of therapy that significantly extend the life of the patient and improve his comfort” – assured Minister Sopliński.
As part of the FAIR PLAY campaign in Gdańsk, Poznań, Wrocław and Warsaw, where matches will be held, educational packages with condoms, leaflets and a championship calendar with information on prevention against HIV / AIDS will be distributed.
Also read: A condom is not enough