New research estimates there are 210,000 men who have sex with men (MSM) in Singapore. A study by the National University of Singapore (NUS) said this population segment, more than double the previous estimate of 90,000, could be at risk of a concentrated epidemic of HIV.

The research published earlier this month named (MSM) as the largest of four key populations at risk of HIV infection in the city-state where gay sex is illegal. Researchers scaled up a representative sample of 199 people who were asked how many MSM they knew. ‘The national size estimates of at-risk populations generated will help determine the magnitude and resources required for national HIV prevention and intervention efforts’ researchers said. ‘The figure for MSM is somewhat larger than we thought’ said Roy Chan from Action for Aids (AfA) Singapore.

‘This is a useful study and give us a basis for program planning and resourcing’ he told Gay Star News, the LGBT news and editorial provider. He said AfA used the projections for its blueprint to end HIV in the city. But, the health professional said, the study should be repeated on a larger scale.

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