What is consueling

What is Voluntary
Counseling and
Testing (VCT)?

Counseling is a confidential discussion(s) between an individual and their care provider to examine HIV transmission risk and explore HIV testing
Together, testing and counselling may enhance a person’s understanding of HIV/AIDS and help the person make informed choices for the future

Benefits of VCT
Empowers the uninfected person to protect himself or herself from becoming infected with HIV
Assists infected persons to protect others and to live positively
Offers the opportunity for treatment of HIV and of infections associated with HIV






 
Confidentiality
Maintaining confidentiality is an important responsibility of all healthcare workers and is essential to establishing patient trust
All medical records and registers, whether or not they include HIV-related information, should be kept confidential and stored in a safe, secure place
Patients should be informed that personal and medical information, including HIV test results, may be disclosed to other healthcare providers only to ensure that they receive appropriate medical care

A VCT intervention includes two counseling sessions:
The initial counseling session (pre test)
HIV test
The second counseling session to provide the client with his/her test result (post test)

PRE TEST COUNSELLING
It deals with:
HIV and AIDS
Transmission and prevention
HIV testing and test result interpretation
Individual counselling and risk assessment

POST-TEST COUNSELLING
Provide the test result.
Help the patient understand the test result.
Provide PMTCT (prevention of mother to child transmission) essential messages when indicated.
Provide support, information, and referral when indicated.
Encourage risk-reducing behaviour.

HIV-negative result
Prevent future infection.
Review MTCT risk with new infection.

HIV-positive result
Clarify understanding.
Acknowledge feelings.
Review benefits of knowing HIV status.
Address immediate concerns.
Schedule follow-up visit.
Although HIV is a very serious infection, many people with HIV and AIDS are living longer, healthier lives today, thanks to new and effective treatments
There are also many things that can be done to help the patient to stay healthy.

Characteristics of counsellors
They include being:
  non-judgemental
  empathetic
  respectful
  supportive

HIV positive people should not be discriminated against

Confidentiality
All patient information is kept private.
Information is shared only with providers directly involved in care—and only on a “need to know” basis. All medical records and registers are kept in secure place.Active listening, including accurate reflection of the issues or concerns: for example: 
"My family would reject me if they found out that I was HIV positive“.
"If I found out that I was positive I would feel like I had been given the death sentence. At the moment I live my life unsure, but it is better than knowing I am definitely going to die“.
"As there is no cure or treatment available, what is the point in being tested?"

Dr Bro Beppe Gaido