Hiv aids counselling manual

FOREWORD
As the HIV epidemic continues to rise, the related psychosocial and
economic impact will continue to overwhelm all persons affected. The ongoing
development of HIV Counselling services, with its main objective of
reducing infection, its impact and promoting well-being of persons
affected, will continue to be a daunting challenge. This is more so in our
context where counselling as a component of clinical management only
began growing and receiving prominence with the onset of the AIDS
epidemic.
The development and growth of HIV Counselling Services in response to
an ever increasing demand for these services requires sustained
counselling training programmes and curricula that are consistent with the
emerging needs of the HIV affected community. As there is the tendency
to be flooded with diverse counselling approaches and techniques derived
from different scientific orientations, the focus of counselling training
should be on the basic skills and techniques. These are often easier to
comprehend, practice and monitor, especially in our situation where the
bulk of HIV counselling services will continue to be delivered as integrated
components of the day to day clinical or other professional duties.
The development of this basic counselling training guide is overdue but
most welcome. It sets out the basics of HIV Counselling. It is anticipated
that all counselling trainees and practitioners will be familiar with the basic
content, skills and techniques of HIV Counselling before being exposed to
more advanced approaches and techniques. The launch of this guide
sets off the process of systematising and standardising HIV counselling
training so essential in monitoring the service and maximising its benefits.
DR E MAROWA
NATIONAL AIDS PROGRAMME CO-ORDINATOR
3