Attitudes towards the transmission of risk for HIV in sport

The risk of transmission of HIV is not zero, during sport participation and even an infinitestimal risk is too great for those who might get infected through open wounds encountered in a sport environment. This study sought to investigate athletes knowledge and attitudes towards HIV transmission in a competitive sport environment and how their demographics, knowledge and interaction with colleagues shaped their attitudes. Focus was also directed at determining whether there is a difference in attitude which is influenced by participation in a particular sport, or if there is a general consensus among athletes about the transmission risk of HIV? The research is aimed at addressing the fear of infection, knowledge and attitudes of sportspersons in a sporting environment. A questionnaire was administered to elite athletes competing in eleven codes of sports ranging from high, medium to low risk sports, from all socio-economic backgrounds. Included in the sample was a group of undergraduate Sport Science students. The questionnaire was based on a similar study conducted in the United States by Calabrese (1993) among 300 college soccer players. The questionnaire was distributed during national tournaments and training sessions. The majority of participants (63%) believed that a risk of HIV transmission exist in sport participation. Most felt that they had a right to know if a teammate/opponent was HIV positive and 62% felt that all athletes should be tested for HIV. Fifty per cent of the respondents indicated that they would participate against individuals who were HIV positive. Most athletes (88%) believed that more education on HIV transmission in sport was needed and 58% felt that HIV should be a notifiable disease in sport. Most athletes believe that a risk of transmission does exist in sport participation; that everyone has a responsibility to practice safe hygiene; and the right and privacy of all participants should be acknowledged. Sport should unify and promote a health lifestyle and not discriminate against the HIV individual.