Annotated Bibliography: Voluntary Counselling and Testing

Abstract: An editorial from an AIDS counselling unit in the UK is sure to raise the ire of many. It
argues that it is time to consider the place and purpose of pre-test counselling, given the
increasing numbers of tests and knowledge about HIV in the patient community. It observes that
pre-HIV test counselling should form part of the discussion about other tests and procedures that
doctors carry out in their daily practice and discuss with their patients. The editorial does point
out, however, that special provision must still be made for specialist counsellors to help with HIV-
positive patients.
Notes: 1 copy
Ref ID: 7712
(1994). Wits Aids research a world first. Diverse publikasies.
Keywords: AZT/research
Abstract: Research conducted by members of the Commerce faculty of Wits University on the
use of the drug AZT in people with Aids is a World first and is to be published in the University of
London's journal of Applied Economics.
Professor Duncan Reekie, outgoing dean of the Commerce faculty together with colleagues
Stephen Meyer and Mark Lasser, found that despite the high cost of AZT, it was a very
worthwhile therapy for Aids patients. It not only prolonged their lives, but also enhanced their
quality of life and enabled them to work productively for significant periods of time after
developing Aids. Although the study was started in 1986, the researchers only began evaluating
the results in 1992.
A complicating factor in the research was the time frames in which they had to work because the
AIDS patients who took part in the study died at different times.
Notes: 1 copy
Increasing the effectiveness of HIV counselling (1994). American Journal of Public
Health, 84, 1179-1180.
Ref ID: 416
Keywords: client/clients/clinic/efficacy/impact/sexually transmitted disease/Virus
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