The public in Gresik Regency was recently shocked by reports of nine prospective newlyweds testing positive for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) during mandatory premarital health screenings. This phenomenon has triggered various responses in the community, ranging from concerns over reproductive health to challenges related to the social stigma still attached to people living with HIV.
Responding to this situation, Vella Rohmayani, a lecturer in Medical Laboratory Technology at Universitas Muhammadiyah Surabaya (Umsura), shared her professional perspective. She emphasized that these medical findings should not be viewed as a judgment or a reason to call off the marriage. Instead, the screening process is a crucial preventive step that allows couples to transparently understand each other's health conditions from the very beginning.
According to Vella, premarital health screening plays a vital role in planning a healthy family future. Through early detection, couples can take risk mitigation steps against virus transmission, including preparing for a safe pregnancy to break the chain of mother-to-child transmission. She reminded that physical and mental health are the basic foundations for building a strong and well-planned household.
Furthermore, Vella highlighted the importance of proper education regarding the transmission mechanisms of HIV to minimize excessive panic in society. She clarified that HIV is not transmitted through general social interaction, such as shaking hands or sharing eating utensils. Transmission only occurs through specific pathways, such as high-risk sexual intercourse, sharing unsterile needles, contaminated blood transfusions, and mother-to-child transmission.
In future prevention efforts, experts urge the younger generation to be more proactive in maintaining their reproductive health. This includes adopting clean lifestyle behaviors, avoiding risky sexual behaviors, and utilizing counseling services and regular health tests. Eliminating the stigma against people living with HIV is also a crucial point so that people do not feel afraid to get tested, ensuring that early detection remains a top priority in building a quality family.
