Premarital HIV screening in Johor--(2002-2004)

Med J Malaysia. 2007 Mar;62(1):19-22.

Abstract

A descriptive study was conducted on premarital HIV screening programme in Johor over a three year period. HIV screenings were done at government clinics and confirmed by accredited laboratories. As a result, 123 new HIV cases were detected (0.17%) from 74,210 respondents. In 2004, 24 cases (64.9%) advanced to marriage (n = 37) after they underwent counselling and six of them married among themselves. Positivity rate from this programme (0.17%) is higher than antenatal screening (0.05%). Despite the implementation of the premarital HIV screening programme, marriage application in Johor rose 2.8% in 2004 compared with 2002. This programme had partly contributed to public awareness against HIV and provides another option in early detection of the disease.

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • HIV Infections / diagnosis*
  • Health Services Research
  • Humans
  • Malaysia
  • Male
  • Premarital Examinations / statistics & numerical data
  • Premarital Examinations / trends*
  • Program Evaluation