Re: HIV test before Nigerian marraige | Health | Naijapals

HIV has been on the rise for decades now, and recent records show a slight fall which is good news. Yet we have to put some effort to stop its further spread. Getting tested is an important step to protecting ourselves from the virus. And the test has to be voluntary and confidential. However, it is not wrong for an individual or group (like a church) to recommend that an individual should get tested (for his/her good) and without any compulsion.

Where a church is requesting a test before marraige it's not bad, the church or those involved should make the guy and lady see reason they should go for a test; I think the result must be between the guy and lady and not anyone else unless they decide to voluntarily disclose their status to others (and the church). It is for the intending couple to make an informed decision on whether or not to go on with the marriage based on their HIV status shown by the test result, so they won't have any reason to seek a divorce because of their HIV status in the future after they are wedded by the church. That would mean proper post-test counseling for their understanding of what they are going into if their status are both +ve or one -ve and the other +ve. [same applies to genotype- genetic counseling]

Bottomline is: HIV test before marriage (anywhere in the world) is important, not under compulsion, and with guaranteed confidentiality of intending couple for their own personal decision, not a church's decision.
And please bali4real, any one living with HIV is not referred to as "victim". That word creates the impression of discrimination and even a "death" for HIV +ve people. The preferred word is "infected" or the phrase: "People living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA)".

Thanks guys for all your brilliant contributions. It's an opportunity for learninig from each other. Kudos

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