“Every year, over 2.5 thousand new HIV infections are detected in Poland, and approximately 30% of infected people still do not know about their disease, because only 10% of Poles have ever taken an HIV test,” emphasized Michał Dowiatt, chair of the Student Research Group at the Department of Infectious, Tropical and Hepatic Diseases.
The campaign is very popular among students of the University of Physical Education. During this year’s event, representatives of the Student Research Group at the Department of Infectious, Tropical and Hepatic Diseases of the WUM provided them with hundreds of insights and advice on the prevention of HIV infection and the possibility of performing free and anonymous tests. They distributed many leaflets and guides prepared by the National AIDS Center, and also conducted an educational quiz.
During their conversations, our students pointed out that early detection of infection and initiation of treatment allows for long-term life without complications, and regular intake of medications reduces the severity of infection, up to making the virus undetectable in the blood (which means non-infectious). Their goal was also to reduce the stigmatization of people diagnosed with HIV infection.
“We are organizing this event at the University of Physical Education for the third time, and its students remember our campaign,” – said Michał Dowiatt. “Their knowledge about HIV and AIDS is greater, but we still hear many questions about the routes of infection and methods of prevention. Although awareness is growing, there are still many misconceptions surrounding the topic. That’s why we care so much about raising the level of social awareness.”
The campaign was organized in cooperation with the Student Government of the Faculty of Rehabilitation of the University of Physical Education.