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380 cases of HIV infections reported in Singapore in first 10 months in 2015

Xinhua, December 1, 2015 Adjust font size:

A total of 380 new cases of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections were reported in the first 10 months this year in Singapore, said the Ministry of Health (MOH) on Tuesday, in conjunction with the World AIDS Day.

MOH said 144 of the reported cases are within the first half of this year, and sexual intercourse remains the main mode of HIV transmission. That is 98 percent of the patients contracted the virus through sexual intercourse.

The ministry also noted that more than half of the 144 cases or 54 percent of patients were 30 to 49 years old, and 97 percent of the patients were male.

MOH found 39 percent of the 144 cases had late-stage HIV infection when they were diagnosed. This figure is lower than the 49 percent reported last year. Meanwhile, the ministry stressed HIV-positive persons can access care and treatment earlier with early diagnosis.

Besides prevention, reducing stigma and discrimination against People Living with HIV (PLHIV) is also important. Singapore's Tan Tock Seng Hospital has launched a 4-year campaign to help PLHIV. The theme for this year's campaign is "I have HIV, will you eat with me?" This question can provoke different responses among people.

The surveys have showed a gradual improvement in accepting attitudes towards PLHIV over the years in Singapore. 42 percent of those surveyed in 2014 were willing to share a meal with a person living with HIV/AIDS, as compared with about 30 percent in 2012. About 55 percent said that they would be willing to care for a person living with HIV compared to 49 percent in 2012. Enditem