The courtship has finally culminated into this momentous occasion. Both of you have decided that marriage is the natural progression to your relationship, and you are willing and ready to proceed. However, among the many considerations that need to be made prior to marriage is premarital health screening, which is extremely important to better equip the couple for a future they will forge together.
What is premarital testing?
Premarital testing is a health check-up for couples who are about to get married. Such check-ups may include various clinical tests which serve the purpose of screening one’s current and potential future health problems.
Why is premarital testing important?
- Such tests may forewarn couples of potential problems if they decide to have children in the future. For example, the early detection of hereditary (genetic) disorders can provide couples with important information to make informed decisions on preventing hereditary conditions.
- It helps you understand the health condition of your partner (e.g. sexual health, blood type, blood pressure, cholesterol level, etc.), which then makes it easier for both of you to better take care of each other.
What are the required premarital tests in Malaysia?
In Malaysia, there is currently one required premarital test, which is the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) test. This applies to Muslim couples, who are required to officially submit their HIV test results prior to getting married. Although it is only required for Muslim couples, HIV testing before marriage is also recommended for everyone.
What are the recommended premarital tests in Malaysia?
There are no set “recommended” premarital tests. However, the following tests are commonly included in premarital screening packages.
- General tests: To provide basic general health information, including blood pressure, height, weight, and body mass index (BMI).
- Blood screening: To examine overall health, screening for blood disorders (e.g. thalassemia, sickle cell anaemia, etc.), and blood type testing (ABO and Rhesus tests).
- Hepatitis screening: To determine whether your partner has hepatitis B or C.
- Sexual health screening: To check for the presence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
I got my results, what now?
If any test results are of concern, your healthcare practitioner will explain and advise you accordingly. The next step is to share the results with your partner, so you both understand each other’s health situations.
A marriage is not just about love. It’s also about taking care of each other, for life. Premarital screening equips you with the knowledge to better take care of your partner, and your future family.
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