TAIPEI (TVBS News) — A survey by the Taiwan AIDS Foundation (台灣紅絲帶基金會) highlighted on National HIV Testing Day (June 27) that 40% of Taiwanese do not know where to get tested for HIV.
The survey findings also revealed that 75.2% of the respondents were unaware that employers need their consent to include HIV tests in health checkups. Furthermore, 64.1% did not know that medical institutions require individual consent before sharing HIV test results with employers or schools.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC, 疾管署), as of May, Taiwan has reported 424 new HIV cases this year, primarily from unsafe sexual practices, predominantly among individuals under 34. The cumulative number of HIV infections in Taiwan now stands at 44,683.
The CDC advises sexually active individuals to undergo HIV testing annually, and those with risky sexual behaviors should test every three to six months. As part of its outreach, the CDC has initiated a self-testing program, allowing residents to order HIV self-testing kits online for pickup at convenience stores or local health agencies.
Sandy King (金家玉), vice secretary-general of the Taiwan AIDS Foundation, stressed the importance of regular testing in managing HIV. She noted that with current treatments, HIV is no longer a terminal disease, and early detection can help maintain a high quality of life.
This survey, conducted from March 1-5, 2024, involved 1,275 participants aged 18 and older.