Knowing The Risk Is A Start Testing For HIV Early And Regularly Is A Step Forward

As part of our efforts to increase Singaporeans awareness of HIV and AIDS and the importance of HIV testing for those at risk of HIV infection, the Health Promotion Board (HPB) is implementing for the first time, a month-long campaign to encourage more at-risk individuals to go for regular HIV screening.

Importance of regular HIV screening for at-risk individuals 
2 According to MOH, 50% of the notified new HIV cases in 2008 already had late-stage HIV infection when they were diagnosed. This was similar to the pattern in previous years.

3 Individuals at risk of HIV infection should go for regular HIV screening so that if infected, the person can be diagnosed and treated as early as possible. It will also reduce the likelihood of HIV transmission by the infected person. Although there is no known cure for HIV infection, early treatment can help to delay the onset of AIDS and improve the quality of life. This allows a person infected with HIV to continue to live a relatively healthy and normal life.

4 Besides medical treatment, access to counselling can help the person living with HIV learn to cope with their condition and to protect their partners from HIV infection.

HPB s Current HIV Testing Campaign 
5 HIV testing is widely available and easily accessible at medical clinics across the island. Rapid HIV testing is also offered at many of these clinics . Anonymous HIV testing is available at seven sites . The current HIV testing campaign being run by HPB aims to encourage at-risk individuals to know their HIV status by going for regular HIV testing. For those who had gone for HIV testing at any of the seven anonymous test sites during the month of September, will receive complimentary shopping and dining vouchers from HPB s participating partners.

6 Individuals at risk and those wanting to know more about their risk of contracting HIV can go to the following website http://www.whatsmyrisk.sg. A booklet which will answer questions on HIV testing will be distributed through our partners such 7-Eleven kiosks, Shell petrol stations, and Watson s stores

The Risk Factor challenge at Clarke Quay 
7 To kick-off the campaign, HPB will open a 2-nights-only pub booth around Clarke Quay jetty area, titled CLUB MOSS (Ministry of Safer Sex), and send 24 hosts roving to engage the public in playing The Risk Factor challenge.

8 The Risk Factor Challenge is a fun and unconventional game enticing participants into taking risks in order to win attractive prizes . Through The Risk Factor challenge, taking up a risk will result in participants performing elaborate and entertaining acts. However, surprises await the participants as they discover that the underlying message is that risk-taking in some situations, in particular HIV, comes with a high price, and risk taking is not worth it.

9 The campaign is expected to reach at least 6,000 individuals directly. It will be communicated through new media, workplace channels, clubs and pubs, and clinics.

Definition of at-risk individuals is: a man who has unprotected sex with commercial sex workers or other men; unprotected sex with multiple partners; or shares injection needles with other drug addicts.

http://www.hpb.gov.sg/sexualhealth/article.aspx?id=2250

Please refer to Annex 1 for the list of the seven clinics