The acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in Singapore--epidemiological perspectives

The Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is caused by a retrovirus, the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). As at 30 April 1988, there were 22 infected individuals in Singapore, of which 4 had AIDS. A comprehensive retrospective study was carried out to establish the clinico-epidemiological features of the disease and its transmission in Singapore. The infected patients have been related mainly to sexual transmission through sexual contact (homosexual, bisexual or heterosexual) with men and women from countries where HIV infection is more prevalent. The majority of the infected were homosexual males in the age range 20-39 years. There was one case of transfusion-associated AIDS and another was infected through heterosexual transmission. The local pattern is consistent with the Western pattern (Pattern 1), with the notable absence of intravenous drug abusers, paediatric cases or infected haemophiliacs.