MODULE TWO: COUNSELLING - FHI 360 Center for Global Health ...

Positive
Indeterminate
Devastated; angry; shocked; broken; shaken; alone;
crushed; despairing; hurt; anxious; overwhelmed; worried.
Confused; afraid; shocked; helpless; bewildered; distressed;
impatient; perplexed; suspicious; unsure; worried.
POST TEST RESULTS COUNSELLING GUIDELINES
Counselling Guidelines
Counselling for people who have recently received their results is similar to pretest
counselling, because both of them involve HIV risk assessment and the
promotion of safer behaviours, or “risk reduction” behaviours.
The main difference is that in post-test counselling callers
a) need to deal with the reality of their situation (not imagining it in the future),
b) need to have a clear understanding of what their results mean
c) need to know the options that are available to them.
Following are some guidelines for dealing with callers who have recently received
test results.
• Listen to their story.
Encourage callers to tell you their story. Many people have not been able to
talk to anyone about their experiences. It can be a big relief to share their
story, even if they have received a negative test result.
• Focus on feelings.
Ask how they feel about the results and how the results will affect their lives.
• Make sure that they understand the meaning of their results.
(See above for explanation of the three types of results).
• Assess HIV risk
Why did they take the test? What behaviours did they engage in to put them
at risk for HIV (or how did they get infected, if they are positive)?
• Help them make a plan for action.
For negative results:
•How to stay uninfected (risk reduction behaviours)
•Re-testing if the test was done in the window period
For indeterminate results:
•Re-testing options
•Risk reduction behaviours
Session 6 – Pg. 7