Brasília - The Ministry of Health's study on the behavior of the Brazilian population with respect to AIDS reveals that 91% are aware that sexual relations represent one of the forms by which the HIV virus is transmitted. And 94% know that the use of condoms is one of the ways to avoid catching the disease. The survey covered 6 thousand people between the ages of 15 and 54 throughout the country.

The coordinator of the National STD/AIDS Program, Pedro Chequer, said that the study is important for understanding of the population's habits and knowledge concerning the disease, to help the government reconsider its policies and procedures.

The study also points out that, when accurate knowledge about the forms of transmission is taken into account, the knowledgeable percentage of the population drops to 67%. Among young people in the 15-24 age bracket, this percentage is even smaller: 62%.

Agência Brasil
Reporter: Cecília Jorge
Translator: David Silberstein
11/25/2004