Counselling in

HIV/AIDS
 HIV/AIDS
HIV is the virus that is a sexually transmitted disease
(STD). This is because of the following reasons. They
are:
O an increased number of sexual partners
O IV drug use
O anal intercourse
O any sex (oral, anal or vaginal) without condoms
O alcohol and other drug use (sex is more impulsive and
use of condoms less likely if under the influence of
alcohol or other drugs)
O tattoos and body piercing with contaminated
(unsterile) needles or instruments
Why counselling is needed?
O To improve the patient’s understanding
about the disease and its management
O To improve the medication adherence
behaviour and improved therapeutic
outcomes
O To adopt healthy lifestyles
O To improve the quality of life
 Areas to counsell
O Before doing the test (pre-test)
O After the test (post-test)
O Crisis counselling.
O Adherence counselling
 Pre test
O This is the counselling that is given to the person
who is willing to test for hiv
Steps in counselling
O Making the patient comfortable
O Reason for testing
O Concepts and misconceptions
O Clarifications about HIV and AIDS
O Health education
O Clarify about the test
O Practicalities of the test
O Coping mechanism
O Confidentiality
O consent
 Post test (Positive)
O Breaking the news
O Medical plan
O Plan for the future
O Reduction of high risk behaviour
O Networking
O Support the patient
 Crisis Counselling
A person who is HIV positive will face many
crises in life. He/she needs to be
counselled.
O The patient should decide the best option
for their situation.
O The patient should report back to the
counsellor and tell about the progress that
he/se is making.
 Adherence Counselling
O It involves change in behaviour so that the
patient is disciplined and conditioned to
take medication
O It should start from the time the diagnosis
of HIV is made.