Ecumenical Dialogue - Catholic

Posted: 23 May 2004 2055 hrs

Number of sexually transmitted diseases up 30%, more young people involved
By Pang Chai Ping/Julia Ng, Channel NewsAsia

SINGAPORE : The number of sexually transmitted diseases has increased by some 30 percent over the last four years.

What is worrying doctors is that more young people are contracting these diseases.

Warts growing on sexual organs have sent almost 800 patients to the National Skin Centre.

This is a 30 percent rise from the 680 cases four years ago.

Doctors said this could be because Singaporeans are having more sex partners, and without the protection of condoms.

What bothers doctors is that compared to four years ago, the number of youths who contracted sexually transmitted diseases was up by 18 percent.

Associate Professor Roy Chan, Head of Department of Sexually Transmitted Infection Control at the National Skin Centre, said: "Their hormones are kicking in, they are exposed to a lot of experimentation. From that point of view, I think if we can delay the onset of sexual activity, it could give young people more time to mature emotionally and psychologically, not just the physical part."

Although men make up 70 percent of those infected, doctors said warts on the women's reproductive organs could lead to cervical cancer.

Some sexually transmitted diseases are due to viruses, and are infectious even though they could incubate for a year or two.

This is why some women are infected by their sex partners, without even knowing it.

Professor Chan added: "The fact that in the female anatomy, a lot of infection occurs inside, and not visible to the outside, they do not produce discomfort.

"There is recommendation or routine screening, PAP smear screening for all sexually active for every three years." - CNA