Beginning next year, couples in Saudi Arabia will be required to test for HIV and hepatitis before getting married. Currently, Saudi couples must undergo premarital blood tests for genetic disorders and diseases.
The announcement of the new requirement comes on the heels of the launch of Saudi Arabia’s first clinic for voluntary HIV tests, located in the King Saud Hospital.
Nigeria’s Anglican Church recently announced a similar initiative that encourages HIV tests before marriage; health officials worry that the policies will hinder people’s rights to voluntary testing.
Beth Benne, RN, is HIV negative, but
the virus has impacted her life. She currently supervises a biannual HIV/AIDS awareness week as
the director of the student health center at Pierce College, a
community commuter school in Woodland Hills, California.
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Overheard in the Women's Forum
"I recently met a guy who is negative. I did tell him about my status and he decided to kiss me anyway (we didn't go further than that). But a day later, he called and said that he actually had a mouth ulcer that time when we kissed and he was very worried. Asked if he can get the virus from me that way. For that moment, I felt so insulted and yet I felt so bad. It was my first time having a contact with a "negative" guy."
