- Joined
- Aug 8, 2008
- Messages
- 3,619
- Points
- 48
http://health.asiaone.com/Health/News/Story/A1Story20101025-243988.html
Unfaithful men pass on HIV to their women
Mon, Oct 25, 2010
my paper
By Sherilyn Lim
THE trend of male blue-collar heterosexual workers paying for sex, whether overseas or in Singapore, has led to a spike in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cases among women here.
According to the Ministry of Health, 463 HIV cases were detected last year, involving 418 men. About 27 per cent of them, or 115 men, were married.
Volunteer organisation Action For Aids (AFA) further estimated that 60 per cent of them were blue-collar workers - such as odd-job labourers and taxi drivers - who paid for sex.
More alarmingly, AFA executive director Aaron Ng added that the number of women who contracted HIV has risen by 50 per cent, to 45 last year from 30 in 2008. A significant proportion of them were either married or in long-term relationships.
The spike was caused mainly by male blue-collar workers who had sex with their wives or long-term partners after having intercourse with infected prostitutes, said Mr Ng.
The figures are higher than those of 2008, when 456 HIV cases were reported, involving 105 married men.
Meanwhile, awareness of HIV, which causes Aids, was raised yesterday at the Healthy Family and Harmonious Community Carnival at Lower Seletar Reservoir Park.
The carnival, featuring activities such as games and an art competition, was organised by the Health Promotion Board (HPB), the AFA and Ang Mo Kio GRC, to promote community bonding and healthy living.
"Community events serve as an excellent platform for reaching out to heartlanders," said Ms Mandy Govender, deputy director of communicable disease education at the HPB. "These will help dispel myths and misconceptions about HIV."
Around 2,000 residents attended the event, graced by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who emphasised the importance of regular health checks and exercise.
Regular health checks are invaluable to those who engage in sexual activities.
A recent AFA survey conducted in Geylang showed that many men did not use a condom during their most recent sexual encounter.
A total of 200 men were interviewed at coffee shops in Geylang, and 65 per cent of them did not wear condoms when they last had sex.
Anonymous HIV testing was introduced in 1991 to encourage those who suspect they had been infected to get tested, without having to reveal their identities. Individuals do not have to provide personal particulars, and results are made available within 20 minutes.
Such anonymous testing is currently offered at seven clinics, including DSC and Cambridge Clinic, located in Kelantan Lane and Kreta Ayer Road, respectively.
[email protected]
Unfaithful men pass on HIV to their women
Mon, Oct 25, 2010
my paper
By Sherilyn Lim
THE trend of male blue-collar heterosexual workers paying for sex, whether overseas or in Singapore, has led to a spike in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cases among women here.
According to the Ministry of Health, 463 HIV cases were detected last year, involving 418 men. About 27 per cent of them, or 115 men, were married.
Volunteer organisation Action For Aids (AFA) further estimated that 60 per cent of them were blue-collar workers - such as odd-job labourers and taxi drivers - who paid for sex.
More alarmingly, AFA executive director Aaron Ng added that the number of women who contracted HIV has risen by 50 per cent, to 45 last year from 30 in 2008. A significant proportion of them were either married or in long-term relationships.
The spike was caused mainly by male blue-collar workers who had sex with their wives or long-term partners after having intercourse with infected prostitutes, said Mr Ng.
The figures are higher than those of 2008, when 456 HIV cases were reported, involving 105 married men.
Meanwhile, awareness of HIV, which causes Aids, was raised yesterday at the Healthy Family and Harmonious Community Carnival at Lower Seletar Reservoir Park.
The carnival, featuring activities such as games and an art competition, was organised by the Health Promotion Board (HPB), the AFA and Ang Mo Kio GRC, to promote community bonding and healthy living.
"Community events serve as an excellent platform for reaching out to heartlanders," said Ms Mandy Govender, deputy director of communicable disease education at the HPB. "These will help dispel myths and misconceptions about HIV."
Around 2,000 residents attended the event, graced by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who emphasised the importance of regular health checks and exercise.
Regular health checks are invaluable to those who engage in sexual activities.
A recent AFA survey conducted in Geylang showed that many men did not use a condom during their most recent sexual encounter.
A total of 200 men were interviewed at coffee shops in Geylang, and 65 per cent of them did not wear condoms when they last had sex.
Anonymous HIV testing was introduced in 1991 to encourage those who suspect they had been infected to get tested, without having to reveal their identities. Individuals do not have to provide personal particulars, and results are made available within 20 minutes.
Such anonymous testing is currently offered at seven clinics, including DSC and Cambridge Clinic, located in Kelantan Lane and Kreta Ayer Road, respectively.
[email protected]
