Analytics, Estonia

A poll carried out by TNS Emor among 1,000 respondents indicated that the HIV awareness of Estonian residents and their perception of risk is low and that in comparison to a similar poll carried out in 2005 there has been no significant shift towards increased awareness, writes ETV24.

The residents of smaller cities and towns of Estonia, men and people working on managerial positions were more in denial towards the problem.

“The survey demonstrates that regular residents of working age underestimate their risk level – very many do not consider it necessary to adopt any cautionary measures. This is a sign that awareness-raising has to be more effective if we want to put a stop to the epidemic spreading in Estonia and avoid very serious consequences in future,” said the head of TNS Emor Karin Niinas.

Most of respondents considered awareness-raising on HIV important, mostly the necessity to carry it out in schools.

“Taking into account the fact that adult residents do not perceive the risks sufficiently and the awareness-raising is also insufficient in schools, new solutions need to be brought into prevention,” said the managing director of the Foundation Healthy Estonia Mairi Jüriska.