HIV counselling is a confidential dialogue between a client and a counsellor aimed at enabling the client to cope with stress and take personal decisions related to HIV/AIDS.
HIV Counselling - It entails an evaluation of the personal risk of HIV transmission and discussing how to prevent infection. It concentrates specifically on emotional and social issues related to possible or actual infection with HIV and to AIDS. With the consent of the client, counselling can be extended to spouses, sex partners and relatives (family-level counselling), based on the concept of shared confidentiality. HIV counselling has as its objectives on both prevention and care, (UNAIDS Website).
HIV Counselling informs health models- Counselling in HIV and AIDS has become a core element in a holistic model of health care, in which psychological issues are recognized as integral to patient management. HIV and AIDS counselling has two general aims: (1) the prevention of HIV transmission and (2) the support of those affected directly and indirectly by HIV. It is vital that HIV counselling should have these dual aims because the spread of HIV can be prevented by changes in behaviour, (NCBI Website).
Need for psychological support - When patients know that they have HIV infection or disease, they may suffer great psychosocial and psychological stresses through a fear of rejection, social stigma, disease progression, and the uncertainties associated with the future management of HIV. Good clinical management requires that such issues be managed with consistency and professionalism, and counselling can both minimize morbidity and reduce its occurrence, ( NCBI Website). A counsellor is a person trained in the skills of the job: listening to the client, asking supportive questions, discussing options, encouraging the client to make his or her own informed decisions, giving practical information and suggesting follow up (UNAIDS Website).
Prevention counselling - One to one prevention counselling has a particular contribution in that it enables frank discussion of sensitive aspects of a patient's life such discussion may be hampered in other settings by the patient's concern for confidentiality or anxiety about a judgmental response, (NCBI Website).
Share with a Counsellor - comes in that space to provide the client confidential and safe space to seek counselling through your phone., we have a team of specialized counsellors to provide support to all concerns related to HIV& AIDS including linkage and referral through. The Share with a Counsellor mobile Phone app avail to your a personal Counsellor, to provide all the Mental Health and Psychological Support ( MHPS)you need in the journey with HIV and AIDS at the comfort of your space.
