Sexually transmitted infections apart, from HIV, witnessed a significant 10.6% rise in the recent three years in Singapore. The citizens accounted for about 62% of the number of infections.

The data suggests the number has raised from about 11,000 in 2006 to 12,300 in 2008, with gonorrhoea, non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU) and syphilis being the three main STIs.

Based on statistics from STI Control Clinic, one-third of the attendances were new cases, with two-thirds as follow-up cases. However, bad news is that there was no reduction in the cases seen at private clinics.

Also, the age wise data reported that 70% of the cases were young adults, in their 20s or 30s and for cases below 20, two-thirds were female. For those older than 20, two-thirds were male.

Mr Khaw claimed that the Ministry of Health has clubbed with many organizations to introduce programs to tackle the rising trend of STIs among youths. Also, in order to impart the primary knowledge of STI transmission and its consequences, MOE has made it mandatory for schools to implement sexuality education as a part of the academic curriculum.

To protect patients' confidentiality, STI has generated strict notifications which aim at ensuring confidentiality for the person. A patient who consults several doctors will chalk up several notifications.