MASENO UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF NURSING
DEPARTMENT OF NURSING
EDUCATION,LEADERSHIP AND RESEARCH
TOPIC:HIV/AIDS COUNSELLING
PRESENTERS:
NUR/00050/022
Others
NUR/00028/022
NUR/00046/022
NUR/00009/022
 OBJECTIVES
By the end of this presentation the learner
should be able to :
• Define HIV/AIDS counseling
• Explain aims of counseling in HIV infection
• Explain different HIV counseling programmed
and services
 INTRODUCTION
• HIV counseling is a confidential dialogue
between the client and a counselor aimed at
enabling the client to cope with stress and take
personal decisions related to HIV/AIDS.
• The counseling process includes evaluating the
personal risk of HIV transmission and how to
prevent infection.
• It concentrates specifically on emotional and
social issues related to possible or actual
infection with HIV/AIDS.
 AIMS OF COUNSELLING IN HIV
INFECTION:
1. Prevention through:
• Determining whether the lifestyle of an individual
places him or her at risk.
• Working with an individual so that he or she
understands the risks .
• Helping the individual to identify the meanings of
high risk behavior.
• Working with the individual to achieve and sustain
behavior change.
 CONT’
2.To offer support through:
• Individual ,relationship and family counseling
to prevent and reduce psychological morbidity
associated with HIV infection.
 DIFFERENT HIV COUNSELLING
PROGRAMMES AND SERVICES
1. Counseling before the test is done.
2. Counseling after the test for those who are
HIV positive and HIV negative
 1. PRE-TEST COUNSELLING
• Pre-test counseling helps to prepare the client
for the HIV test, facilitates discussion about
ways to cope with knowing ones HIV status.
• It also involves identification of risk behaviors
and how to prevent infection.
• It helps correct myths and misinformation
about HIV/AIDS.
 CONT’
• People who do not want pre-test counseling
should not be prevented from taking a
voluntary HIV test.
 CONT’
• Indications for further counseling and referral
to counselor:
1. People who have been sexually active in
areas of high HIV prevalence.
2. Current or previous sexual partners HIV
positive.
3. Client presenting with HIV infection clinical
symptoms.
4. High risk sexual behavior.
5. High risk injecting drug practices.
 CONT’
Points for counselor to cover:
• what is the HIV antibody test.
• The difference between HIV and AIDS .
• The window period for HIV testing.
• The importance of knowing HIV status .
• Transmission of HIV.
• Safer sex and risk reduction.
• How the results of the test are obtained.
 INTRA-TEST COUNELLING
• It refers to counselling sessions that occur during
the process of HIV testing.
• It occurs between the time the test is administered
and when the results are disclosed.
• It aims to provide education ,support and guidance
to individuals undergoing HIV testing.
• It helps them understand the process , potential
outcomes and implications.
• It also addresses concerns, risk reduction strategies
and coping mechanisms regardless of the test
results.
 2. POST TEST COUNSELLING.
• Post test counseling helps the client understand
and cope with the HIV result.
• HIV results should always be given with counseling.
• The client is prepared for the result, given the
result and provided with any further information.
• The client is informed on ways to reduce the risk of
infection or transmission.
 CONT’
Where the test result is positive:
The counselor needs to tell the client clearly and
providing emotional support. Discuss with the
client on how best to cope.
Help the client to choose a family member to
share the results with and participate in the
counseling .
Overloading the patient with information about
HIV should be avoided at this stage.
 CONT’
Where the test result is negative :
• The client should be encouraged to return for a
repeat test after 3-6 months .
• The client should be reminded about HIV
prevention and helped to adapt any new safer
practices.
 REFERENCES
• Sarah Chippindale and Lesley French 2001 ABC
of AIDS BMJ
• Geneva UNAIDS 1997 Counseling and
HIV/AIDS, UNAID Technical update