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The first cases of HIV/AIDS in Singapore were recorded in 1985. They involved two men.
The number jumped to six just a year later and ten years after the first cases, the number crossed 100.
Today, the total number of HIV/AIDS cases in Singapore stands at 3138 and of that number, most are asymptomatic carriers while 660 have AIDS-related illnesses.
Sex remains the main mode of HIV transmission in Singapore, and this is greatest among heterosexuals.
Most of those infected are men, with the gender ratio being eight males to one female. 60 per cent of these males were single, while 61 per cent of infected females were married.
There's also a handful of children with HIV/AIDS since the virus can be passed on through a mother who is infected.
Since 1985, an AIDS Education Programme has been in place to create awareness and educate the general public.
This includes initiatives such as RESPECT (Rallying Employers to Support the Prevention, Education and Control of STI/HIV/AIDS), a Workplace AIDS Education Programme and the Men-at-risk Programme aimed at heterosexual adult males aged between 20 and 59 who engage in paid or casual sex.
RESPECT and the Men-at-risk programmes will form part of this year's efforts in Singapore during World AIDS Day on December 1st.
Efforts will continue during the month of December with Dr-on-Call sessions organised by the Health Promotion Board to handle questions the public may have about HIV/AIDS.
Doctors from Tan Tock Seng Hospital will be on standby at 1800-2231313 to take questions on Tuesday,December 5th and Wednesday,December 13th. Questions can also posed here.
Apart from Health Officials, help and information is available from volunteer groups such as Action for AIDS(AfA).
Formed in 1988, the voluntary community based organization runs counselling services and anonymous HIV-testing at the DSC Clinic in Kelantan Lane.
Anonymous HIV testing is also available in most medical clinics and for all pregnant women, pre-natal HIV screening is required unless they choose to opt out of it.
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