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"Premarital HIV testing a must in
January"
The
Star (www.thestar.com.my)
(04/12/05)
KELANTAN will start mandatory premarital HIV testing for Muslim couples in
January. Although there have been a lot of criticisms about the move, the
measure is seen as a way of addressing this mode of transmission in Kelantan.
Premarital testing only indicates a person’s HIV status at the time of
marriage, and could give a false sense of security. However, if conducted
properly, pre and post-test counselling could help educate couples to be
aware of high-risk behaviour that could lead to HIV transmission, such as
injecting drug use and engaging the services of sex workers.
A person could be HIV+ without being sick for years, and antiretroviral
treatment can keep a HIV+ person healthy for a long time. Thus, it is not
difficult for people to conceal their infection and spread it to their sex
partners.
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