This post is part of a larger write-up on HIV/AIDS Counselling & Support - A Social Works Perspective. You may download it in one single pdf: HERE
PREVENTION COUNSELLING
Prevention counselling is similar to pre-test counselling as it provides an opportunity for the counsellor/client to negotiate and reinforce a plan to reduce or eliminate the risk of HIV transmission. Prevention counselling can also be given to relatives and significant others of an infected person so as to protect them from contacting the infection in the process of caring for the PLWHA. As seen above prevention counselling can be categorized into two:
- Primary Preventive Counselling: This is the counselling given to an individual to avoid contracting an infection.
- Secondary Preventive Counselling: This is the counselling given to an individual who is positive to help reduce the risk of re-infection. It is also given to the family, significant others and care givers of any infected person to enable them to be able to give proper care to the PLWHA as well as to protect themselves. It covers such issues as Universal Basic Precaution as well as Home Based Care.
Preventive counselling facilitates an accurate perception of HIV risk for those who are unaware, uninformed or in denial. It should also:
- Translate the client’s risk perception into a risk reduction plan that may be enhanced by knowledge of HIV infection status.
- Helps clients initiate and sustain behaviour changes that reduce their risk of acquiring or transmitting HIV
- Assess the clients readiness to adopt safer behaviours by identifying behaviour changes the client has already implemented and negotiate a realistic and incremental plan for reducing risk
- Determine the client’s understanding of HIV transmission and the meaning of HIV antibody test results
- Safe sex options can be discussed. A condom demonstration can be carried if client is willing to use condoms and is interested in knowing how to make proper and consistent use of a condom
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