STIs stands for sexually transmitted infections, not the Straits Times Index in this case.

STIs, other than HIV, are on the rise in Singapore, with a 10.6% increase in recent three years. Singapore citizens accounted for about 62% of the number of infections.

This was a written answer from the Minister of Health, Mr Khaw Boon Wan, in response to a question posed by MP for Sembawang GRC, Ms Ellen Lee Geck Hoon, as to how many cases of sexually transmitted diseases other than HIV (such as genital warts, herpes, venereal disease, gonorrhea etc) were seen in the clinics, public and private hospitals in past years.

The number of STIs increased from about 11,000 in 2006 to 12,300 in 2008. The three main STIs are gonorrhoea, non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU) and syphilis.

Those aged between 10 and 39 years accounted for the largest increases in STI notification rates. For those in their 20s and 30s, the rate per 100,000 population has increased by 67%, from 270 in 2000 to 451 in 2008.

But for those below 20, the rate is especially alarming, having more than doubled from 61 per 100,000 population in 2000 to 133 in 2008.

Seriously… what is so surprising? I am not even going to get started here. No. I am not.