ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF SINGAPORE
(FIRST SESSION)
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QUESTIONS FOR WRITTEN ANSWER
MONDAY, 15 SEPTEMBER 2008

SEXUALLY-TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS AMONG YOUTHS

1. Mr Zaqy Mohamad (MP for Hong Kah GRC):

To ask the Minister for Health (a) if he will provide the trends in sexually-transmitted infections (STIs) among youths below the age of 25 over the past 10 years; (b) whether his Ministry has performed any formal study on the level of sexual activity and infections among youths and its correlation to their socio-economic profile and education level; and (c) what are the programs in place to tackle the rising trend of STIs among youths and if there are KPIs (key performance indicators) linked to the level of STI infections to measure the success of the programs.

Mr Khaw Boon Wan (Health Minister):

The incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among youths aged between 15 to 24 years has increased from 231 per 100,000 population in 1998 to 418 per 100,000 in 2007:

Age-gender-specific STI incidence per 100,000 population:

A 2006 Students' Health Survey, jointly conducted by the Health Promotion Board (HPB) and the Ministry of Education (MOE), found that 4 per cent of Secondary 3 and 4 students have had sexual intercourse. Of these, 24 per cent were sexually active (more than 5 times in the past 12 months).

Another study by the National University of Singapore is currently underway to examine the correlation factors, including socioeconomic and educational background.

Several programmes are in place to address the rising trend of STIs among youths. The topic on STIs is included in the science syllabus and MOE has made it mandatory for schools to implement sexuality education. HPB complements it with its "Breaking Down Barriers" (BDB) programme, an STI/AIDS prevention programme targeted at Secondary Three students. The BDB programme covers protective measures like abstinence and condom use, and life-skills such as decision-making, assertiveness and negotiation.

STI/AIDS awareness and education programmes are also conducted for students in post-secondary and tertiary institutions. These programmes help the students to recognise the signs and symptoms of STIs and advise them on the appropriate medical follow-up. Those who are diagnosed with STIs are treated and counselled individually. HPB also works with Family Service Centres and other youth organisations to reach out to other youths to provide them with knowledge and skills to protect themselves against STIs.

Parents play an important role in the sexuality education of their children. HPB conducts regular "Love Them. Talk about Sex." programmes in work places, schools and community venues. These offer parents information and tips on how to broach and discuss sexuality issues, including STIs, with their children. A toolkit, helpline and website (www.letstalkaboutsex.sg/parents) have also been developed.

Through these programmes, we aim to reduce the incidence of STIs among youths over time. We will repeat the Students' Health Survey every 3 years, to monitor the effectiveness of these programmes.