INDIA: Indian State Plans to Make HIV Test Mandatory Before Marriage

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2006. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

INDIA: Indian State Plans to Make HIV Test Mandatory Before Marriage

Deutsche Presse-Agentur (12.21.06) - Thursday, December 21, 2006

Legislators in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday discussed plans to make HIV testing mandatory for couples seeking to marry. The proposed bill was brought up after lawmakers underwent voluntary HIV tests as part of an awareness program, the Indian Express newspaper reported.

Andhra Pradesh has the highest number of HIV cases in India, around 1.5 million out of the country's total of 5.7 million cases. "The climate in the state is just right for such a bill, and legislators are keen on bringing about such a legislation," said P.K. Agarwal, a state health department official.

The proposed legislation is likely to be tabled in March at the assembly's next session, said Agarwal. Thorough consultations with medical institutions and nongovernmental organizations will be required before a method of enforcing the bill evolves, he said.

Recently, state Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy said his government wants to expand a program to ensure infants do not become HIV-infected. "Since condom use is not popular, we are considering tough measures like compulsory HIV testing," Reddy said.

Andhra Pradesh and neighboring state Maharashtra together account for 10 percent of India's HIV infections. The International HIV/AIDS Alliance has warned that figure could increase unless adequate control measures are taken.
061221
AD062479

Copyright © 2006 - Information, Inc., Bethesda, MD. The CDC National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention provides the following information as a public service only. Providing synopses of key scientific articles and lay media reports on HIV/AIDS, other sexually transmitted diseases and tuberculosis does not constitute CDC endorsement. This daily update also includes information from CDC and other government agencies, such as background on Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) articles, fact sheets, press releases and announcements. Reproduction of this text is encouraged; however, copies may not be sold, and the CDC HIV/STD/TB Prevention News Update should be cited as the source of the information. Contact the sources of the articles abstracted below for full texts of the articles.

AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Pacific Life Foundation and donations from users like you.

Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2006. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 2006. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content.