A socio-epidemiologic survey of veneral diseases among national servicemen attending a VD hospital in Singapore.

Between September 22 and October 29, 1976, a socio-epidemiologic survey of venereal diseases (VD) was carried out at a hospital for VD and skin diseases in Singapore. The study subjects comprised 401 national servicemen from the Singapore Armed Forces who were selected by periodic stratified random sampling from among army patients at the hospital. These subjects were divided into two groups, one consisting of those suffering solely from venereal diseases and the other from non-venereal skin diseases only. Studies were made to compare the personal characteristics, educational and social backgrounds and sexual behavior between these two groups. On the basis of the results, a profile of a soldier likely to contract venereal diseases was made. The study showed that soldiers have inadequate knowledge of venereal diseases. Suggestions are made to improve education as to venereal diseases and to reduce risk of infection in the armed forces.