Adnkronos (Adnkronos) – Most Italians are aware of HIV but continue to consider their personal risk of acquiring it remote. This perception can reduce testing and, consequently, the adoption of numerous prevention strategies, as highlighted by "Tackle HIV 2026 Italy." The results of the survey, conducted online by Research Without Barriers (RWB) among 2.012 Italian adults between March 10 and 23, 2026, for ViiV Healthcare, in collaboration with the Terrence Higgins Trust, were presented at Casa GSK during the meeting—today in Verona—"Beyond Stigma: Health, Prevention, and Inclusion," aimed at GSK and ViiV employees.
The research – a statement says – is part of the international Tackle HIV initiative, now in its sixth year, which uses the power of sport to bring communities together and foster change in knowledge and behavior regarding the virus.
The campaign's protagonist is Gareth Thomas, former captain of the Welsh national rugby team and the British & Irish Lions. The first professional player to come out as gay in 2009 and, since 2019, publicly living with HIV, Thomas attended the Casa GSK event as an HIV advocate and campaigner. "I chose to share my story also to remind people that behind the statistics—critical to understanding the HIV picture—there are people, with relationships, dreams, and plans. With Tackle HIV, we want to give voice to these experiences and raise awareness in communities, using the power of rugby, and sport in general, to open conversations, challenge myths, and combat stigma."
Greater knowledge and overcoming prejudices can concretely contribute to improving the lives of people with HIV."
The first finding concerns the perceived risk of contracting HIV. Italian respondents—it is stated—mostly associate it with men who have sex with men (79%), people who inject drugs (72%), and sex workers (70%).
The risk is also recognized for heterosexual men (59%) and heterosexual women (57%), but at lower percentages. This is followed by women who have sex with women (51%), transgender people (41%), migrants (21%), ethnic minorities (18%), and children (14%). Only 2% of respondents did not consider any of the populations proposed to be at risk.
"The results show that the risk of contracting HIV is still associated mainly with certain groups, almost as if it were a reality far removed from their own experience," comments Davide Moschese, of the Department of Infectious Diseases at the Luigi Sacco Hospital – University of Milan, who was present at the meeting. "This perception can lead to underestimating personal exposure and forgoing testing. It is no coincidence that among those who say they would not, the belief that they are not at risk is by far the main barrier."
Nearly seven in ten people – the statement details – are open to HIV testing: 27% of those interviewed say they have already taken it, and 42% would consider doing so. 21% say they would not take it, while 10% are unsure. Among those who avoid the test, the belief that they are not at risk is clearly the main barrier, cited by 85%. All other obstacles are much less common: the cost of the test (6%), difficulty understanding where to take it (5%), embarrassment if others found out (3%), the desire not to know their HIV status (3%), concern about taking a blood sample or skin prick test (3%), lack of time (3%), fear that a possible diagnosis will be discovered by others (2%), and other reasons (3%).
"We need to promote more accurate and inclusive awareness, standardizing testing as an active prevention tool. It needs to be made increasingly accessible and accompanied by clear information on all HIV prevention methods, including PrEP, which is still underused in Italy," adds Moschese. "The innovative options available today can make a concrete contribution to overcoming stigma and developing more personalized prevention and treatment pathways."
Uncertainties concern not only risk and testing, but also the effect of treatment on HIV transmission. When asked whether a person with HIV who is receiving effective treatment can transmit the virus to a sexual partner, 51% of respondents answered yes, 25% no, and 24% said they didn't know. Overall, three out of four people therefore incorrectly recognize, or are completely unaware of, the U = U principle (undetectable = untransmittable), according to which effective antiretroviral treatment prevents sexual transmission of the virus.
The perception of daily life is more positive: 59% of those interviewed do not believe that living with HIV prevents them from engaging in any of the activities proposed. These include having a sexual relationship, playing contact sports, traveling, socializing, and exercising, as well as working in fields such as emergency services, healthcare, the armed forces, caregiving, teaching, professional sports, and aviation. "The research paints a picture of significant progress, but also of knowledge that still needs to be consolidated," says Cristina Zocchetti, Medical Director of ViiV Healthcare Italia. "Today, thanks to effective treatments and appropriate care, people with HIV can enjoy a quality of life comparable to that of people who are not infected. Raising awareness of this reality is essential to fill information gaps, overcome misconceptions, and reduce stigma."
Overall, 'Tackle HIV 2026 Italy' portrays a country where knowledge of HIV is widespread, but does not always translate into accurate assessment of personal risk. The divide is particularly evident in the belief that people are not exposed, which discourages testing, and in the still incomplete understanding of the effect of treatments on virus transmission. At the same time, the majority of those interviewed recognize that people with HIV can lead full and active lives. In this scenario, innovation can help bridge the gap between what is possible today and what people still perceive, making testing more accessible, aligning prevention with individual needs, and continuing to improve treatment and care. For scientific advances to fully translate into health and quality of life, they must be accompanied by accurate information and a sustained commitment to combating stigma.
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