New research released Wednesday, August 9Â shows just one third of Brits know the facts about HIV transmission, as EastEndersâ Zack Hudson (James Farrar) is told by doctors the medication he is taking to suppress the virus means he canât pass on HIV.
The new data revealed to mark this landmark moment found just 36% of people know that someone living with HIV and on effective treatment canât pass the virus on to partners, according to YouGov polling of 2,088 UK adults for HIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust.
According to Terrence Higgins Trust, this “clearly shows why the dramaâs ongoing HIV storyline is so important in helping to update the publicâs knowledge of HIV and bust myths that have persisted since the 1980s, especially when so much medical progress has been made in treating HIV since EastEndersâ previous HIV storyline featuring Mark Fowler, who was diagnosed back in 1991 long before effective treatments were available”.
The research also found just half (47%) of Brits correctly know that someone living with HIV can have children who are HIV-negative. This myth is also being busted as Zack and onscreen girlfriend Whitney are able to try for a baby now that levels of HIV are undetectable in his blood.
Terrence Higgins Trust research also found what it calls “shocking levels of HIV-related stigma, despite all the medical progress thatâs been made”. The data show just 42% of Brits would be comfortable dating someone living with HIV, while only a third (35%) would be comfortable kissing someone who is HIV positive.
Additionally, even though HIV treatment suppresses the virus to undetectable levels meaning it canât be passed on, fewer than one in five people (18%) would be comfortable having sex with someone living with HIV and on effective treatment.
Terrence Higgins Trust is working with EastEnders on its latest HIV storyline to make sure the drama aligns with current facts about the virus, having previously advised the soap back in 1991 when Mark Fowler was first diagnosed. There was a 75% increase in traffic to the charityâs website with viewers searching for up-to-date information following Zackâs diagnosis in January.
âZack being told he is undetectable and that he canât pass on HIV is a landmark moment that shows just how much HIV has changed since Mark Fowlerâs diagnosis in the 1980s.”Â
The research also found that 39% of Brits are aware of Mark Fowler being diagnosed with HIV rising to 66% in 45-54 year olds and dropping to just 3% in those aged 18-24, underlining the impact that soap operas can have in educating people about important issues. In addition, one in five people (21%) saying they had learned about HIV through TV and film.
The charity hopes that Zack being told his HIV is âundetectableâ will have a big impact in raising awareness of HIV transmission and help to tackle the stigma continuing to surround HIV. It runs its own âCanât Pass It Onâ campaign to raise awareness of how much medical progress has been made in preventing transmission of HIV.
Dr Kate Nambiar, Medical Director at Terrence Higgins Trust, said: âZack being told he is undetectable and that he canât pass on HIV is a landmark moment that shows just how much HIV has changed since Mark Fowlerâs diagnosis in the 1980s. The brilliant thing about soaps is that we donât just see the immediate aftermath of Zackâs diagnosis, but also the characters learning about the realities of HIV in 2023 and Zack living a normal life which HIV is just a small part of.
âOur new research shows just why this storyline is so important with low levels of knowledge resulting in high levels of stigma and discrimination. We hope that EastEndersâ millions of viewers watch the storyline, learn the facts and see that there is absolutely no reason not to kiss, date or have sex with people living with HIV.â
Allan Batcock, a straight man living with HIV, said: âItâs incredible to see EastEnders raising awareness of the experience that thousands of straight men living with HIV across the UK face and that itâs nothing to be ashamed of.
“When I was diagnosed with HIV at 34 it hit me like a sledgehammer. Iâd learned about HIV from the tombstone adverts in the 1980s and thought I would be limited â but then I learned about the huge medical progress weâve made around HIV and that I could live a long, fulfilling life thanks to the treatment that I take. Since being diagnosed with HIV, Iâm now married to my childhood sweetheart who is HIV negative and we live with our three kids as a happy family.
âA lot of men are bad at talking about our feelings and health â thatâs why I hope Zackâs story of coming to terms with HIV diagnosis, and now being unable to pass the virus on thanks to effective treatment, inspires straight men to open up about how theyâre feeling and get tested for HIV.â
Victoria Roscow, a mother who is living with HIV, added: âI was over the moon when I first found out I was pregnant â but my world came crashing down at my first ultrasound scan when I found out I was HIV positive. I was put on medication straight away and became undetectable very quickly within three weeks. Because of this, I was able to give birth to a child free from HIV.
âPeople living with HIV can lead healthy and normal lives, however sadly many of us continue to experience stigma and discrimination because of our HIV status. Through Zackâs storyline, EastEnders is educating millions of people and showing that HIV doesnât have to get in the way of living a happy life. Seeing someone struggling after being diagnosed with HIV and coming out the other side healthy with a HIV negative partner and now the option to have a HIV negative child will do so much in challenging negative perceptions around the virus and help others living with HIV learn to love themselves just as they are.â
Terrence Higgins Trust runs its own âCanât Pass It Onâ campaign to raise awareness of how much medical progress has been made in preventing transmission of HIV.
You must be logged in to post a comment.