世論 What Japan Thinks

[part 1] [part 2]

goo Research recently performed a large investigation into HIV and AIDS awareness amongst the Japanese. 38,474 people supplied answers to the questions posted in an open to the public internet-based survey, availiable for a week at the end of November. The demographics were 2.7% 19 or under, 25.4% between 20 and 29, 39.8% from 30 to 39, 22.8% between 40 and 49, 7.2% between 50 and 59, and 2.3% sixty and over.

The second half of the survey sees that there is still a small but perhaps significant minority of those with prejudices against those with HIV and AIDS. There is also a larger minority with some reservations about these matters, but I think that, for instance, there has to be some rational discrimination – obvious ones like disallowing blood transfusions or regulations regarding working in environments where there are the risks of blood contamination are present, such as masks and gloves for food preparation.

Q8: Are you aware of free or anonymous AIDS tests at health care centres? (Sample size=38,747)

I know they are free	31.2
I know they are anonymous	9.1
I know they are both free and anonymous	22.3
I don’t know either things	37.3

Q9: What do you think regarding AIDS tests at health care centres? (Sample size=38,747, multiple answer)

I think they should have more publicity regarding the tests	56.6%
I think it’s good that they offer free, anonymous services	48.4%
I feel they are difficult to approach as use of these centres is not part of a normal lifestyle	40.0%
It’s like dealing with a government department (bad translation!)	31.8%
Other	1.8%
Don’t know	4.5%

Q10: What requests do you have regarding AIDS tests at health care centre? (Sample size=38,747, multiple answer)

Protect privacy	78.8%
Full consultation process and sufficient explanations	46.5%
Carry out testing on holidays	44.6%
Appropriate treatment program (not fully readable text)	41.7%
Carry out late-night testing	40.8%
Lengthen opening hours	39.3%
Introduce testing methods that permit same-day results	37.3%
Increase number of days open	38.8%
Make the centres’ locations common knowledge	35.7%
Other	1.2%
Don’t know	4.6%

Q11: Do you think that there must be no societal discrimination or prejudice against HIV and AIDS patients? (Sample size=38,474)

I agree	38.9%
I agree to some extent	47.5%
I disagree to some extent	5.4%
I disagree	1.6%
Other	1.2%
Don’t know	5.4%

Q12: Could you accept working alongside an HIV or AIDS patient? (Sample size=38,474)

Can accept	33.8%
Can accept to some degree	37.2%
Cannot accept to some degree	13.1% (to SQ)
Cannot accept	2.7% (to SQ)
Don’t know	13.2%

Q12SQ: Why could you not accept working alongside an HIV or AIDS patient? (Sample size=6,073, multiple answer)

Because I think caution would become needed	59.1%
Because of the chance of infection	52.9%
Because there is no preparations for an environment of acceptance	37.0%
Because of the effect on the workplace environment	33.4%
Because I think it would be taxing	26.2%
Other	3.7%
No particular reason	1.4%

Q13: In the last year, have you obtained information regarding AIDS? (Sample size=38,747)

	Definitely obtained information	Feel I’ve obtained information	Not obtained information	Can’t remember
19 years old or under	21.9%	38.6%	19.7%	19.5%
20-29 years old	16.7%	40.1%	25.8%	17.5%
30-39 years old	14.6%	37.8%	28.2%	19.3%
40-49 years old	15.1%	37.8%	28.8%	18.2%
50-59 years old	16.1%	38.6%	28.3%	17.0%
60 years old or older	20.6%	43.8%	21.5%	13.9%

Looking at a detailed breakdown of the sources of information by age group, television is the top source for everyone, with about four in five obtaining information from there. Next is the internet, at around three in five, followed by newspapers and school education at around half the respondents for each, for all ages. Do Japanese schools send leaflets round to the parents too? The usual predictable trends, such as older people favouring newsprint over the internet could also be seen.

Q14: What AIDS-related information would you like to see? (Sample size=38,474, multiple answer)

Protection against infection	75.4%
Treatment methods	61.9%
infection routes	60.6%
Details of illness	58.5%
AIDS tests	53.3%
Consultation facility information	52.6%
AIDS countermeasures	38.9%
Medical facilities	32.3%
AIDS research	26.4%
NGO and volunteer groups	14.9%
Other	0.8%
Don’t know	3.7%

Some of the answers above are a bit lacking in context, but that’s the way the results were published.

Q15: What measures would you like to see the government take in relation to AIDS? (Sample size=38,474, multiple answer)

Research and development of vaccines and drugs	64.5%
Establish an HIV prevention system	63.5%
Reliable information regarding AIDS	62.7%
Education regarding HIV infection prevention	54.1%
Maintain a full treatment system at hospitals, etc	53.6%
Research into the source of HIV infection	47.2%
Spread enlightenment regarding HIV infection prevention	45.2%
Outlaw prejudice and discrimination against AIDS sufferers	40.4%
Full specialist-staffed diagnostic system	39.6%
Strengthen cooperation with other countries	28.8%
Strengthen cooperation with HGOs and volunteer groups	17.9%
Nothing in particular	0.8%
Other	1.4%
Don’t know	2.7%

[part 1] [part 2]