Essential Pre-Wedding Health Test: What Every Nigerian Couple Needs To Know

Love is beautiful, and finding your life partner is a momentous occasion. Congratulations! As you dive into wedding planning – the attires, venue, food, Aso-Ebi, and endless checklist – it’s easy for important conversations to get lost in the frenzy.

Unfortunately, overlooking important discussions, especially about health, can have significant consequences later. Prioritizing the health of your new family is essential. Before walking down the aisle, understanding basic health information about each other through specific medical tests before marriage helps you prepare better for a happy and healthy future together.

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What are Pre-Wedding Tests (and Why Are They Important)?

Pre-wedding tests are specific health screenings for couples planning to marry. They provide a vital overview of each partner’s health status. Understanding the results from this essential pre-marriage medical test list allows couples to enter their union informed, prepared, and confident about managing potential health implications.

Why Complete a Pre-Wedding Health Test?

Identifies potential health risks for you, your partner, and future children.
Allows for timely medical intervention and management if needed.
Provides crucial information about infections or genetic traits.
Helps you make informed decisions regarding family planning and understanding the necessary tests to do before marriage.

List of Tests to Do Before Marriage in Nigeria

Here are the key screenings included in a comprehensive pre-wedding health test list:

HIV and Other STDs: Screening for lifelong conditions like HIV and Hepatitis B & C is crucial, as these can impact the marriage significantly. It’s also vital to test for curable STDs (gonorrhea, syphilis, Chlamydia, etc.) to ensure both partners receive treatment if necessary before marriage. Early detection and treatment are key.
Genotype: Understanding genotype compatibility (AA, AS, AC, SS) is a critical component of the tests to do before marriage in Nigeria, primarily to prevent sickle cell disease (SCD) in future children. SCD is a serious, lifelong inherited blood disorder. Knowing both partners’ genotypes allows for informed family planning decisions.
Blood Group (Including Rhesus Factor): This test determines your blood group (A, B, AB, O) and Rhesus (Rh) factor (positive or negative). It’s essential for blood transfusion compatibility but also critical during pregnancy. If an Rh-negative woman carries an Rh-positive baby (inherited from an Rh-positive father), complications can arise in subsequent pregnancies if not managed properly. This makes it a non-negotiable part of medical tests before marriage.
Tuberculosis (TB): Given that Nigeria has a high burden of TB (18 deaths every hour, according to WHO estimates), screening is advisable. TB is a contagious bacterial infection primarily affecting the lungs but can spread. Since partners will live in close contact, ensuring both are screened is a wise precaution.
Total Cholesterol: This test measures overall cholesterol levels, including LDL (‘bad’) and HDL (‘good’) cholesterol. High cholesterol is a risk factor for heart disease and may necessitate lifestyle and dietary adjustments. Knowing your status helps make informed health decisions together early in your marriage.

Convenient Pre-Wedding Testing with Healthtracka

To help you complete this important list of test to do before marriage conveniently and affordably, Healthtracka offers tailored packages:

Basic Plan: This test is for you if you recently did your general health check-up test but want to be sure about your compatibility with your partner. If your church requires you to submit a pre-wedding test result, this affordable package is perfect for you. This contains 3 basic screenings you need to do namely HIV Rapid, Genotype, Blood Group, and a Pregnancy (bonus test) for women. Book here.
Standard Plan: This test is for you if you and your partner have little or no insight as to your current health status. Before you get married, a fuller test package that gives you more health insights you need to know about yourself and your spouse. This package contains 8 main screenings namely HIV Rapid, Genotype, Blood Group, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Tuberculosis, Total Cholesterol, and a Pregnancy test (bonus for women). Book here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I afford this test? Yes, Healthtracka’s packages are affordable, starting from as little as N20,000, including convenient home sample collection.
Where can I get tested? Easily book online at healthtracka.com. Schedule a home visit for sample collection – no need for clinic queues.
What is the testing process like?
1. Order online at healthtracka.com.
2. Schedule convenient home sample collection by a medical professional.
3. Receive confidential digital results via email within 24-48 hours.
What if any of my tests come out positive? Healthtracka provides support. You can book a consultation with one of our doctors to discuss your results and understand the next steps.

Start Your Journey Together, Healthily

Completing these essential tests to do before marriage is an investment in your future family’s health and happiness. It empowers you with knowledge and allows you to begin your married life prepared and confident.