Update on the HIV/AIDS Situation in Singapore 2009
Source :
www.moh.gov.sg
Update on the HIV/AIDS Situation in Singapore 2010
Characteristics of new cases of HIV infection reported in 2009
1. In 2009, another 463 Singapore residents[1] were newly reported with HIV infection. About 90% of the new cases were males and 10% were females. . This brings the total number of HIV infected Singaporeans to 4,404 as of end 2009. As at 31 Dec 2009, 2,089 persons are asymptomatic carriers, 1,037 have AIDS-related illnesses and 1,278 have died.
2. Sexual transmission remains the main mode of HIV transmission among Singaporeans. Of the 463 cases reported in 2009, 449 cases acquired the infection through the sexual route, with heterosexual transmission accounting for 61% of infections, homosexual transmission 30% and bisexual transmission 6%. Intravenous drug use (7 cases) accounted for 2% of infections.
3. 55% of all new cases reported in 2009 were aged between 30 to 49 years of age. Approximately 57% were single, 30% were married and 11% were divorced or separated.
4. In 2009, more than half (57%) of the new cases already had late-stage HIV infection[2] when they were diagnosed. This was similar to the pattern in previous years.
5. More than half of the new cases in 2009 (57%) had their HIV detected when they had HIV testing in the course of medical care, while another 16% were detected as a result of health screening. 9% were detected as a result of voluntary HIV screening. Another 7% of the cases were detected as a result of screening in prisons and drug rehabilitation centres. The rest were detected through contact tracing and other screening. When differentiated by sexual orientation, a higher proportion of homosexuals had their HIV infection detected via voluntary screening compared to heterosexuals (20% vs. 2%).
6. There were 45 female cases in 2009, representing an increase of 50% from 2008. More than half of the 45 female cases (56%) were aged between 20-39 years old. 58% were married and 18% were single. The majority (96%) acquired HIV through heterosexual transmission. 47% had their HIV detected when they had HIV testing in the course of medical care, while another 18% were detected as a result of health screening. 22% were diagnosed as a result of contact tracing. 51% were diagnosed when they already had late stage infection.
Preventing HIV infection
7. The most effective way to prevent HIV infection is to remain faithful to one’s spouse/partner and to avoid casual sex and sex with prostitutes. A HIV-infected person looks and feels normal during the early stage of the infection. It is therefore not possible to tell if a person is infected or not by looking at his/her appearance.
8. Persons engaging in high-risk sexual behaviour, such as having multiple sexual partners, engaging in casual sex or sex with prostitutes, are strongly advised to use condoms to reduce their risk of HIV infection. Condoms should be used consistently and correctly during every sexual encounter. They should also go for HIV testing regularly so that the disease is detected and treated as early as possible. HIV treatment can significantly delay the onset of AIDS and reduce the risk of death.
9. It is an offence under the Infectious Diseases Act for persons who know that they are infected with HIV not to inform their sex partners of their HIV status before sexual intercourse. Furthermore, under the Infectious Diseases Act, a person who has reason to believe that he has, or has been exposed to a significant risk of contracting, HIV/AIDS must take reasonable precautions to protect his sexual partner, such as by using condoms, even if he is ignorant of his HIV positive status. Alternatively, he can go for a HIV test to confirm that he is HIV-negative. Otherwise, he must inform his partner of the risk of contracting HIV from him, leaving the partner to voluntarily accept the risk, if he or she so wishes.
10. HIV testing is available in most medical clinics.The identities of persons who come forward for testing and those who are found to be HIV positive will be kept strictly confidential. Anonymous testing services are also available.
11. HIV/AIDS is not transmitted through normal day-to-day contact with a HIV-infected person at home, in school or at the workplace. You cannot get HIV/AIDS from coughs, sneezes, shaking hands, hugging, sharing of food and cutlery, sharing of toilets, etc. More information about HIV and AIDS can be found at the HPB website at
http://www.hpb.gov.sg/sexualhealth/s...c.aspx?id=1412.