The impact of premarital HIV testing: a perspective from selected countries from the Arabian Peninsula

Abstract

Although voluntary HIV testing is still more dominant than the mandatory form, in accordance with the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and Centers for Disease Control recommendations, there are still millions of people who are mandatorily tested before marriage. This article presents policies toward mandatory premarital HIV testing (PHT) in selected Arabian Peninsula countries, focusing on details of the testing as experienced by high-school students, who were participants of a recent research study conducted in the United Arab Emirates. With a high acceptance for mandatory premarital and periodical marital HIV testing among young Emirates, showing a feeling of vulnerability to contracting the infection, possible explanations for such feelings is also discussed. The advantages and disadvantages of PHT are presented with a focus on Arabian Peninsula countries. The author concludes that while a positive PHT result may be socially isolating, the challenge in Arab countries is to stimulate efforts into shifting social norms toward a destigmatization of disease, acceptance, and support of HIV-infected persons with reference to religion and compassion. Recommendations, which consider the specific nature of Arab countries, predominately governed by Islamic laws are formulated. A PHT program could benefit from adequate legislation acts followed by education and counseling based on government policy, religious body support, and an involvement of NGOs and international agencies.