Approaches to HIV counselling in a Zambian rural community

Abstract

The counselling experience at Chikankata hospital for the first year of the AIDS care and prevention programme is described. People in the counselling team are selected according to specific criteria. Counselling is conducted in integrated AIDS management context, at the individual family and community levels. Counselling emphases differ according to the clinical expression of the disease. Some cultural issues require specific counselling approaches, such as ritual cleansing, and dealing with seropositive women of childbearing age. Counselling is integral to comprehensive AIDS management which is inclusive of the disciplines of clinical care, education, counselling, pastoral care and administration.