Trends in human immunodeficiency virus infection: epidemiology in Singapore

The acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and recognised a decade ago, has reached pandemic proportions worldwide. By early 1992, the World Health Organisation estimates that at least 10 to 12 million people are infected with HIV globally. The majority of these infections are the result of heterosexual transmission. In South and South-east Asia, the AIDS pandemic is growing rapidly due to intravenous drug use and heterosexual transmission. Since 1985, the major route of HIV transmission in Singapore has been sexual. The transmission pattern, however, has changed from one that was predominantly homosexual or bisexual to one that is increasingly heterosexual from mid-1990. In addition, HIV infections among intravenous drug users, children and organ recipients who received transplantation overseas have also surfaced since 1990. It is estimated that there will be 400 cases of HIV infection in Singapore by the mid-1990s.