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Source:
www.moh.gov.sg |
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Expansion of Anonymous HIV Testing Programme in
Singapore |
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The Ministry of Health will increase the
number of anonymous HIV test sites in Singapore from the current three -
Anteh Dispensary, Cambridge Clinic, and the Action for AIDS Anonymous
HIV Testing and Counseling Clinic - to seven, with effect from 1
November 2008. Details of the new test sites are available at
Annex. |
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This move is to further encourage
individuals at risk of HIV infection to go for testing and to do so
early. We recognise that there may be individuals who would like to be
tested for HIV but who would prefer not to be identified to healthcare
personnel. Hence, anonymous HIV tests provide an alternative to
conventional HIV testing. |
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We are encouraged by the increase in
the number of people going for anonymous HIV tests in Singapore.
The number of anonymous HIV tests carried out has increased from
5,639 in 2005 to 8,251 in 2007. |
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The overall rate of positive cases detected
in anonymous testing has ranged from 1.45% in 2005, to 1.91% in 2006 and
1.59% in 2007. The percentage of first-timers going for anonymous HIV
testing has also risen from 65% (from Jun 06 – Jun 07) to 74% (from Jul
07 – Jun 08) at the two GP clinics. |
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Rise in HIV cases |
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The number of HIV cases in Singapore has
continued to increase over the years, with 423 cases in 2007. In the
first 6 months of 2008, 154 HIV/AIDS cases (143 males and 11 females)
have been diagnosed. More than half of the new cases which presented in
2007 had late-stage diagnosis (53%). This was similar to the pattern in
previous years (58% in 2006). |
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Studies have shown that individuals who
are aware of their HIV-positive status will take steps to protect
their partners. Therefore, early testing will help to control the
spread of HIV. Early detection and treatment of HIV infection can
also help to significantly delay the onset of AIDS, reduce the risk
of death, and improve the quality of life. |
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Anonymous HIV testing |
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Anonymous HIV Testing will be
performed on individuals upon request and who have no signs and
symptoms of AIDS. Anonymous HIV testing is carried out on oral
fluid or blood from finger prick using rapid HIV test kits
registered with the Health Sciences Authority, namely, Orasure
Oraquick Rapid HIV-1/2 Antibody Test and Inverness Medical
Determine HIV-1/2 Antibody Test respectively. The use of rapid HIV
tests will allow results to be ready in approximately 20 minutes.
Persons with reactive rapid HIV test results will be asked to
provide a venous blood sample for further laboratory-based
confirmatory testing. |
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Pre- and post-test counselling will be
provided to all persons who undergo anonymous HIV testing at the
clinics. The person will also be given information on the "window
period" for HIV infection. |
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The "window period" refers to the time
taken for a HIV-infected person to develop antibodies to the HIV
virus. Most people will develop antibodies within 3 months of
infection while some may take up to 6 months. During the "window
period", an infected person may not show a reactive test on the HIV
rapid test or other antibody-based HIV tests which detects the
presence of HIV antibodies. Hence, a person would usually be advised
by his doctor to be re-tested after the "window period" to confirm
his test result if the test was non-reactive and there has been a
recent history of high-risk sexual or other exposure. Persons who
are found to be HIV-positive will be given appropriate medical
advice and counselling. |
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Public advisory |
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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. |
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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 regular HIV testing. |
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It is an offence under the Infectious
Diseases (Amendment) Act 2008 if a person who has reason to believe
that he has, or has been exposed to a significant risk of
contracting HIV/AIDS, does not take reasonable precautions to
protect his sexual partner, such as by using condoms, even if he is
ignorant of his HIV positive status. |
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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. |
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More information about HIV and AIDS can
be found at the Health Promotion Board website at
www.hpb.gov.sg/aids. |
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Annex |
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Source:
www.moh.gov.sg Press Release 30
Oct 2008 |
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Important
Notice |
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FrontPage Edition: Fri 7 Nov 2008
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