Hiv aids counselling manual

Preventive counselling
Preventive counselling is counselling aimed at preventing being infected with HIV and
preventing its transmission to other people. Preventive counselling is often divided into
primary and secondary depending on the stage and status of the infection.
1. Primary prevention
Primary prevention is specifically for clients who are at risk and not known to be
infected. They may not know that they are at risk. Commercial sex workers and STD
patients are groups of clients relevant for primary preventive counselling.
2. Secondary prevention
Secondary prevention is considered likely for clients known to be HIV infected or likely
to be HIV infected. The emphasis is on behaviour change that will prevent
transmission of HIV to others. The focus is on the need for infected clients to recognise
their responsibility for the health and welfare of those they have sexual contact with.
The following are the main areas to be explored in preventive counselling:
* client's knowledge of basic facts on HIV/AIDS and how they personally affect the
client's behaviour
* determine whether the behaviour of an individual or group of individuals involves
a high risk of HIV infection
* work with the people concerned to help them understand and acknowledge the
risks associated with their behaviour
* define with them how their life-style and self-image are linked to this behaviour
* help individuals define their potential for changing behaviour
* work with individuals to introduce and sustain the modified behaviour.
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