UPDATE ON THE HIV/AIDS SITUATION IN SINGAPORE 2018 (JUNE 2019)

UPDATE ON THE HIV/AIDS SITUATION IN SINGAPORE 2018 (JUNE 2019) 

There were 313 new cases of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections reported among Singapore residents[1] in 2018. This brings the total number of HIV-infected Singapore residents to 8,295 as of end 2018, of whom 2,034 had passed away. The number of new HIV cases among Singapore residents has been between 400 to 500 per year from 2007 to 2017.

2.    Of the 313 cases, 93% were male and 62% were between 20 to 49 years old. About 50% had late-stage HIV infection[2]when they were diagnosed.

3.    Sexual intercourse remains the main mode of HIV transmission. 95% (298 out of 313) of the cases acquired the infection through sexual intercourse. Heterosexual transmission accounted for 43% of all cases, while 42% were from homosexual transmission and 10% from bisexual transmission. (Please refer to the Annex for details.)

4.    57% of the newly reported cases were detected in the course of medical care provision[3]. Such cases are typically at the late stage of HIV infection. Another 22% were detected during routine programmatic HIV screening[4] and 14% were detected from self-initiated HIV screening i.e. voluntary screening. Cases detected via voluntary screening are more likely to be at the early stage of infection. When differentiated by sexual transmission, a higher proportion of homosexuals and bisexuals (20%) had their HIV infection detected via voluntary screening compared to heterosexuals (9%).

Public Advisory

5.    The most effective way to prevent HIV infection is to remain faithful to one’s spouse/ partner and to avoid casual sex, or sex with sex workers. Persons engaging in high-risk sexual behaviour, such as having multiple sexual partners or engaging in casual or commercial sex, are strongly advised to use condoms to reduce their risk of HIV infection. Condoms should be used consistently and correctly during every sexual encounter.

6.    The Ministry of Health and the Health Promotion Board (HPB) urge individuals who engage in high-risk sexual behaviour to go for early and regular HIV testing. With early diagnosis, an infected person can be treated earlier, and receive counselling on how to protect their partners from infection.  Early treatment and care can delay the onset of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and also helps reduce HIV spread in the community. HIV testing is available at polyclinics, private clinics, and hospitals. There are also anonymous HIV test sites, where personal particulars are not required when signing up for a HIV test.

7.    HPB has been working with partner organisations to conduct programmes and campaigns targeted at high-risk individuals to urge them to go for regular HIV testing. HPB’s partners conduct various educational outreach programmes on HIV prevention and management using a lifestyle approach. These programmes reach out to at-risk individuals through social settings to encourage them to take protective measures and to go for early and regular HIV testing. 

8.    More information about HIV and AIDS can be found at www.healthhub.sg

ANNEX  

TABLE 1

NUMBER OF SINGAPORE RESIDENTS REPORTED WITH HIV /AIDS

(1985 – 2018)  

*Per 100,000 resident population. Prior to 2017, the notification rate was reported per million resident population instead of per 100,000.

TABLE 2

DISTRIBUTION OF HIV/AIDS - INFECTED SINGAPORE RESIDENTS

BY MODES OF TRANSMISSION

(1985 – 2018)  

*Transmission occurred overseas

HIV/AIDS - INFECTED SINGAPORE RESIDENTS

BY MARITAL STATUS AND SEX

(1985 – 2018)  

TABLE 4

HIV/AIDS - INFECTED SINGAPORE RESIDENTS BY ETHNIC GROUP

(1985 – 2018)  

TABLE 5

HIV/AIDS - INFECTED MALE SINGAPORE RESIDENTS BY AGE AND MODES OF TRANSMISSION (1985 – 2018)  

TABLE 6

HIV/AIDS - INFECTED FEMALE SINGAPORE RESIDENTS BY AGE AND MODES OF TRANSMISSION (1985 – 2018)  

[1] Singapore citizens and permanent residents 

[2] CD4+ cell count of less than 200 per cu mm or AIDS-defining opportunistic infections or both 

[3] Includes cases that presented with HIV-specific symptoms and cases with non-HIV related medical conditions  

[4] Includes screening programmes for individuals with sexually transmitted infections, hospital inpatients and those identified through contact tracing