12-01-2005, 04:54 PM
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>After horoscope, premarital AIDS test </b>
Pioneer.com
Sonia Sarkar/ New Delhi
This marriage season, apart from horoscope match, young couples are also looking for perfect health match before they enjoy the marital bliss.
With five million Indians suffering from the deadly AIDS and premarital sex the in-thing, pre-marital HIV-AIDS test has also become a must these days. Keeping in mind the social stigma attached to it, many diagnostic centres offer doorstep service.
Meet Neetu Srivastava, a PR consultant who tied the nuptial knot with Anil Prasad, a software engineer on November 23. Much to the embarrassment of her conservative parents, Neetu asked Anil to go for an HIV-AIDS test before marriage. "With the Westernised lifestyle of today, premarital sex is not uncommon. So, I was very clear that the person, whom I marry, should get the HIV-AIDS tests done. For Anil's satisfaction, even I went for the same test. After this, we will at least live a tension free and happy life," said Neetu.
Even the doctors endorse such awareness among the youth. "The HIV infection gets transmitted mainly through unprotected sex and injecting drug use. A significant proportion of new infections are occurring in women who are married and get infected by husbands who went for unsafe sex.
This trend shows that newly married women are at a greater risk of getting affected from their partners, which is later transmitted to their newborn. Under these circumstances, premarital tests for HIV/AIDS infection should be made mandatory for couples to lead a happy married life," said Dr Anoop Misra, Professor at the Department of Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).
According to World Health Organisation (WHO) reports, worldwide, only one in ten people having AIDS has been tested and knows that he or she is infected. India has been identified as the nation with the second highest number of HIV/AIDS infected population in the world next to South Africa. More than five million people in the country are affected with the deadly virus and a majority requiring antiretroviral therapy.
Many diagnostic centres are offering premarital health check-ups at discounted prices for to be married couples. " It's not exactly marriage season discount. We offer a package of all the tests at Rs 1,000. The test comprise screening for HIV spot, Blood Grouping (ABO & Rh Typing), CBC, A Rh (+ve) are conducted besides the Rh, HbsAg a screening for Hepatitis B, VDRL and Hb Electrophoresis, needed to detect thallasaemia traits. All in all, this is a complete package to ensure the person is free of HIV," said Ameera Shah, the vice-president Metropolis Health Services. Similar packages are being offered by other leading path lab chains.Â
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Its rare but not bad. They should perform more test in rural area.
Pioneer.com
Sonia Sarkar/ New Delhi
This marriage season, apart from horoscope match, young couples are also looking for perfect health match before they enjoy the marital bliss.
With five million Indians suffering from the deadly AIDS and premarital sex the in-thing, pre-marital HIV-AIDS test has also become a must these days. Keeping in mind the social stigma attached to it, many diagnostic centres offer doorstep service.
Meet Neetu Srivastava, a PR consultant who tied the nuptial knot with Anil Prasad, a software engineer on November 23. Much to the embarrassment of her conservative parents, Neetu asked Anil to go for an HIV-AIDS test before marriage. "With the Westernised lifestyle of today, premarital sex is not uncommon. So, I was very clear that the person, whom I marry, should get the HIV-AIDS tests done. For Anil's satisfaction, even I went for the same test. After this, we will at least live a tension free and happy life," said Neetu.
Even the doctors endorse such awareness among the youth. "The HIV infection gets transmitted mainly through unprotected sex and injecting drug use. A significant proportion of new infections are occurring in women who are married and get infected by husbands who went for unsafe sex.
This trend shows that newly married women are at a greater risk of getting affected from their partners, which is later transmitted to their newborn. Under these circumstances, premarital tests for HIV/AIDS infection should be made mandatory for couples to lead a happy married life," said Dr Anoop Misra, Professor at the Department of Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).
According to World Health Organisation (WHO) reports, worldwide, only one in ten people having AIDS has been tested and knows that he or she is infected. India has been identified as the nation with the second highest number of HIV/AIDS infected population in the world next to South Africa. More than five million people in the country are affected with the deadly virus and a majority requiring antiretroviral therapy.
Many diagnostic centres are offering premarital health check-ups at discounted prices for to be married couples. " It's not exactly marriage season discount. We offer a package of all the tests at Rs 1,000. The test comprise screening for HIV spot, Blood Grouping (ABO & Rh Typing), CBC, A Rh (+ve) are conducted besides the Rh, HbsAg a screening for Hepatitis B, VDRL and Hb Electrophoresis, needed to detect thallasaemia traits. All in all, this is a complete package to ensure the person is free of HIV," said Ameera Shah, the vice-president Metropolis Health Services. Similar packages are being offered by other leading path lab chains.Â
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Its rare but not bad. They should perform more test in rural area.