Date:01/12/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/12/01/stories/2005120119060400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Pre-marital HIV test launched

Special Correspondent

Bangalore: Of the 1,470 persons tested recently in Bangalore by the Metropolis Health Services, a nationwide chain of diagnostic centres, 37 were found positive for HIV. A higher percentage tested positive in Mumbai but that is small consolation.

"We are now offering pre-marital check-ups to screen for HIV/AIDS, other sexually transmitted diseases and launching the facility on the eve of World AIDS Day," said Ameera Shah, spokesperson of Gokula Metropolis Health Services centre here. The screening will include going through the family health history of the soon-to-be married couple to find out if they have the possibility of passing on a disposition to cardiac disorders, hypertension or diabetes to their children in future.

"In the case of families with a history of heart disease, even young people in their twenties may be found with high cholesterol, indicating a high risk. We can then counsel them for treatment and suitable dietary changes to bring down the cholesterol levels to normal and possibly prevent heart disease in two succeeding generations," Ms. Shah said.

While a few engaged couples or their families have sought health check-ups in recent years, doctors at the clinic feel it should become more widely prevalent.

This has become necessary, they said, because the World Health Organisation has indicated that there is a decline in adult HIV infection rates, the overall trends in HIV transmission are still increasing and more preventive measures are needed to slow down the epidemic. In tradition-bound societies as in India, where marriages are invariably arranged and the couple seldom meet before the wedding, there is higher risk of HIV/AIDS being passed on to innocent victims.

"Ironically, in India, where many details regarding the young man and woman about to get married are discussed by family elders, their health hardly figures," said a doctor. The pre-marital check up will include blood grouping and Rh typing to check for compatibility, STD, HIV screening, possibility of thalessemia traits and a study of family health history. Samples will be collected from their homes for privacy. There are certain hereditary disorders such as diabetes, cardiac diseases and thalessemia that can be passed on to the next generation though the parents may not show any abnormality.