HIV/AIDS: THE IMPORTANCE OF PREVENTION THROUGH EDUCATION

HIV/AIDS is the fourth biggest global killer and it is estimated that more than 20 million people have died worldwide since the beginning of the epidemic. In the Asia Pacific region, the HIV/AIDS epidemic continues to spread rapidly, especially in China and India.

No country is immune to a serious HIV epidemic and Singapore is no exception. Although the number of HIV/AIDS cases diagnosed in Singapore as of October 2002 is relatively low, at 1788 cases, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has estimated that the actual figure is likely to be very much higher as many remain untested and unaware of their HIV status. The spread of HIV may be silent, but has far-reaching and deadly consequences.

WHO South East Asia Office has classified Singapore as a "moderate" HIV prevalence country. This second only to the "high" prevalence classification for countries like Thailand, Cambodia and Myanmar.

The National AIDS Control Programme in Singapore, launched in 1985, comprises the following measures:

• Public education and education of high risk groups
• Legislation
• Protection of the national blood supply through routine screening of blood and blood products
• Management of the infected
• Counseling those with high risk of infection
• Monitoring the disease
• Training of personnel
• Conducting research and studies

Although many advances have been made in relation to care for HIV/AIDS patients, no cure or vaccine has been developed yet. AIDS prevention education and safe practices continue to be the mainstay of the control of HIV/AIDS. The main focus of Singapore’s AIDS Control Programme is AIDS prevention education. The AIDS Education Programme targets the general population, as well as those at higher risk of infection. It harnesses various forms of communication, including the use of pamphlets, posters, exhibitions, talks, workshops, forums and the mass & targeted media.

Public education is sustained throughout the year. In addition, a month is devoted each year to more intensive public education. Since 1987, the AIDS Awareness Month as has been organized to coincide with World AIDS Day on 1 December.

In view of the changing trend of HIV transmission in Singapore from homosexual to heterosexual transmission, the educational focus in now on the dangers of casual sex. Messages to promote family values and to avoid pre-marital and extra-marital sexual relationships have been intensified. The use of condoms for prevention is emphasized to those at risk of infection. However, it is stressed that condoms do not provide 100% protection against HIV/AIDS.

The profile of HIV/AIDS patients in Singapore shows that males and females in the economically active age range of 20-59 years are at risk. AIDS prevention education at the workplace is therefore of paramount importance.

There is no cure for AIDS. AIDS prevention education remains one of the most important tools we have in fighting the spread of the disease. Singapore cannot afford to be complacent about our moderate HIV prevalence rate. Otherwise, the social, economic and health burdens may prove to be heavy for many generations to come.