Press Releases
Individuals Should Continue to Use “ABCD” to Protect Themselves Against HIV
12 December 2012
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In the first 10 months of 2012 (January – October), another 385 new HIV cases were reported among Singapore residents1. By extrapolation, it can be expected that the total number of notified HIV cases in 2012 will be similar to that of 2011 (461 cases).
1. There were 215 new HIV cases reported in the first 6 months of 2012. Information on new HIV cases is regularly updated on the MOH website. Data for the first 6 months of 2012 is reproduced in Annex A.
2. Between July and October 2012, another 170 new HIV cases were reported. The additional new cases are currently undergoing further investigations, and more information on them will be released at a later date.
Characteristics of new cases of HIV infection reported in first 6 months of 2012
3. 215 Singapore residents were detected to be HIV-infected in the first six months of 2012. 92 % of the new cases were males and 8 % were females.
4. Sexual transmission remains the main mode of HIV transmission. Of the 215 cases reported in the first 6 months of 2012, 208 cases acquired the infection through the sexual route, with heterosexual transmission accounting for 50% of infections, homosexual transmission 43% and bisexual transmission 4%.
5. About half (47%) of all new cases reported in the first 6 months of 2012 were aged between 30 to 49 years of age. In terms of marital status, approximately 63% were single, 23% were married and 10% were divorced or separated.
6. In the first 6 months of 2012, 50% of the new cases already had late-stage HIV infection2 when they were diagnosed. This was similar to the pattern in previous years.
7. More than half of the new cases in the first 6 months of 2012 ( 55%) had their HIV detected when they had HIV testing in the course of some form of medical care, while another 15% were detected as a result of some form of health screening. 14% were detected as a result of voluntary HIV screening. The rest were detected through contact tracing and other screening. When differentiated by sexual transmission, a higher proportion of homosexuals had their HIV infection detected via voluntary screening compared to heterosexuals (28% vs. 4%).
‘ABCD' to protect against HIV Infection
8. The Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Health Promotion Board (HPB) urge individuals to protect themselves from HIV infection and its effects by following the principles of ‘ABCD’: (A) abstinence, (B) being faithful, (C) correct and consistent use of condoms and (D) early detection. These principles are relevant for everyone regardless of the risk group they belong to.
9. While prevention is always the preferred option, those at risk of HIV infection and those who engage in risky sexual behavior should go for regular HIV testing. Regular HIV testing can help an infected person to be diagnosed at an earlier stage of infection. Early diagnosis can afford a HIV positive person earlier access to care and treatment, and also allow him/her to receive counseling on how to protect their partners from infection.
10. To complement MOH’s efforts in urging regular HIV testing for at-risk individuals, HPB’s partners conduct various educational outreach programmes on HIV prevention and management using a lifestyle approach by the use of radio talk shows and men’s health seminars. These programmes also encourage at-risk individuals to take personal protective measures and have regular HIV testing, so as to allow for early detection and treatment, delay the onset of AIDS and ensure an active and productive life.
11. Using a ‘3P’ approach to leverage People in the community, Private companies and other agencies in the Public sector, these programmes debunk myths and misconceptions about HIV as well as reduce the stigma and discrimination against People Living with HIV (PLHIVs) – all likely factors that may lead to late testing and detection of HIV infection. One such collaboration is the HPB’s partnership with the Singapore National Employers’ Federation (SNEF) which has seen 76,000 employees reached by programmes that aim to raise awareness and knowledge on HIV in the workplace from 2011 to mid-2012 alone.
1 Singapore citizens and permanent residents.
2 CD4+ cell count of less than 200 per cu mm or AIDS-defining opportunistic infections or both.
MINISTRY OF HEALTH
29 NOVEMBER 2012
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