MANY Singaporeans are still ignorant about how HIV and Aids are spread, a survey has shown.

The survey, which polled 705 people, was conducted by World Vision in conjunction with its One Life Experience (OLE) exhibition on World AIDS Day last December.

About a third of the respondents believed that HIV and Aids could be transmitted through a mosquito bite or by kissing, which is a myth. Over more than half of them were also unaware that the deadly disease can be spread through breastfeeding from a mother to child.

Yet when it came to protecting themselves from catching the viruses, more than 80 per cent of the respondents knew that they could do this by using a condom during sex or having an uninfected sex partner.

As part of the OLE exhibition, World Vision has teamed up with the Health Promotion Board to provide free anonymous HIV screening to the public.

However, one out of every 11 respondents indicated that they would not be willing or were unsure if they would go for a HIV or Aids testing even if they knew that they would be at risk of HIV or Aids.

Half of the respondents also said that they would be uncomfortable around someone with HIV or Aids. Most of the respondents also knew that they cannot contract the viruses by sharing their food with someone who has HIV or Aids but more than 50 per cent of the group would be hesitant to share a meal.

To educate Singaporeans on Aids, the OLE allows visitors to experience the fear and stigmatisation that people living with Aids face daily.

The OLE is ongoing at the Singapore Management University till Feb 3.