Update on the HIV/AIDS Situation in Singapore 2008

03 Jun 2009

Characteristics of new cases of HIV infection reported in 2008

1. In 2008, another 456 Singapore residents  were newly reported with HIV infection.  About 93% of the new cases detected were males. This brings the total number of HIV infected Singaporeans to 3,941 as of end 2008 (Table 1).  As at 31 Dec 2008, 1,799 persons are asymptomatic carriers, 914 had AIDS-related illnesses and 1,228 have died.

2. Sexual transmission remains the main mode of HIV transmission among Singaporeans.  Of the 456 cases reported in 2008, 433 cases acquired the infection through the sexual route, with heterosexual transmission accounting for 54% of infections, homosexual transmission 33% and bisexual transmission 8%.  Intravenous drug use accounted for 4% of cases (20 cases) - 16 of these cases were detected as a result of screening in prisons and drug rehabilitation centres, and 4 in the course of medical care.

3. More than half (56%) of all new cases reported in 2008 were aged between 30 to 49 years of age.  About 15% of the cases were aged between 20 to 29 years of age. Approximately 62% were single, while 27% were married, and 10% were divorced or separated.

4. In 2008, 50% of the new cases already had late-stage HIV infection when they were diagnosed. This was similar to the pattern in previous years.

5. 52 cases were detected as a result of screening in prisons and drug rehabilitation centres (comprising 11% of all cases in 2008). Of the remaining 404 new cases in 2008, 76% had their HIV detected when they had HIV testing in the course of some form of medical care, compared to 74% of 416 cases in 2007. About 12% were detected as a result of voluntary HIV screening, compared to 13% of 416 cases in 2007. 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 (24% vs 3%), similar to 2007 (29% vs 5%).

Preventing HIV infection

6. 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.

7. Persons who have unprotected sex while engaging in high-risk behaviour have a higher risk of HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI). In 2008, a total of 7,944 cases of STI were reported among Singapore residents, an increase of 2.4% from 7,755 cases in 2007. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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. In 2008, a total of 9,916 anonymous HIV tests were carried out, of which 143 (1.4%) were HIV-positive.

10. 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 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 www.hpb.gov.sg/aids. 

MINISTRY OF HEALTH