GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING OF PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV

GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING OF PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS
Ever since the beginning of AIDS epidemic in 1981, the number of people infected and affected with HIV/AIDS has increased sporadically. During the course of infection, a broad range of physical, social and physiological needs and problems is experienced. Changing nature of the illness imposes a variety of psychological and emotional strains on individuals and those closest to them. Guidance and counselling of the people living with HIV/AIDS is therefore more paramount than in any other disease since AIDS is seen more as a psychosocial phenomenon than a disease.
HIV/AIDS guidance and counselling is a dialogue between a client (HIV positive individual) and a care provider aimed at enabling the client to cope with stress and to make personal decisions related to HIV/AIDS.  The counselling process includes the evaluation of personal risk of HIV transmission and the facilitation of preventive behavior. The process involves two major elements i.e. the formation of sensitive, trusting and respectful relationship with the victim and a structured approach to ensure the client has adequate knowledge for problem solving and decision making in pre and post-testing counselling.
Guidance and counselling of people living with HIV/AIDS assists the subjects to make informed decisions, cope better with their condition, lead more positive lives and prevent HIV transmission. This process is important because infection with HIV is a lifelong phenomenon during which in the course of infection, a broad range of physical, social and psychological needs and problems can be experienced.
The two main goals of guidance and counselling of HIV/AIDS victims are: to provide psychosocial support to those whose lives have been affected by HIV and to encourage those living with the condition to embrace it and minimize transmission.  The purposes of the process are but not limited to: provide clients with information on HIV/AIDS; help the victims to handle possible emotional reactions to HIV/AIDS; discuss courses of action adapted to client/family needs and circumstances; encourage change when needed for the prevention or control of the infection.
With effective guidance and counselling, the people living with HIV can be able to define for themselves the nature of the problems they are facing and make realistic decisions about what they can do to reduce the impact of these problems on themselves, their families and friends. Helping people to achieve the confidence to make lifestyle changes is an integral part of guidance and counselling. Effective counselling should occur where people most need it and should not be restricted to clinics or structured doctor-patient situation. 

Comments

  1. Emily13 February 2019 at 07:00

    Many people living with HIV/AIDS experience numerous challenges like social alienation, depression, despair, shame etc. HIV testing and counselling services are confidential meaning that what the counselling provider discusses with the patient should not be disclosed to anyone else without the consent of the person being tested or counselled.

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  2. Zahara Ibrahim13 February 2019 at 08:15

    Aids has become a core element in a holistic model of health care in which psychological issues are recognised an internal management it's is vital that hiv counselling should have these dual aim because the spread of hiv can be prevented by changes in behavior. By Zahara

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  3. Pauline13 February 2019 at 09:24

    All patients with HIV infection will find it difficult to adjust to changes in their medical status, regardless of whether their symptoms are getting better or worse, through guiding and counseling they'll be able to make realistic decisions about what they can do to reduce impact of these problems.
    By Pauline mbithe

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  4. Koech13 February 2019 at 09:38

    Guidance and counselling staff should be well trained in order for people to come out openly about their status also testing if one is found positive the news should be relayed to them cautiously since the person might think of suicide and other forms of self harm ..


    Kaisy

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  5. benson13 February 2019 at 09:48

    Many patients with HIV/AIDS experience numerous challenges beyond those posed by the physical effects of their disease including poverty, mental illness, drug addiction, social alienation, racism, and homophobia. Counseling patients who face these issues can be difficult, but a careful risk assessment along with patient education can improve a patient’s ability to cope and lead to better outcomes by BENSON WANJOHI

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  6. Unknown13 February 2019 at 10:43

    guidance and counselling assists the people living with hiv/Aids to make informed decision, cope better with their condition, lead more positive lives and prevent transmission

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  7. Quinter13 February 2019 at 11:59

    Guidance and counselling has contributed alot in decreasing the spread of HIV/AIDs among those living with The disease for it have helped them accept the fact that by having the disease is not the end of life for their are alternative of taking the ARVs to help decrease the spread of virus and have a normal life again

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  8. Ian Wanjohi 13 February 2019 at 20:32

    People suffering from the virus most of them are undergoing stress and dipression .With the existance of health care centres like the Voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) has become an integral part of HIV prevention and care programmes in many countries. Services have evolved to reflect developments in treatment and care for HIV-related illnesses and recognition of the importance of VCT in reducing HIV transmission.

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  9. Unknown13 February 2019 at 22:40

    guidance and counselling should be done thoroughly from the onset as a unit in primary school and currently before any treatment is done counselling should be introduced eg at the Kenyatta national hospital its done after they have tested and found you positive.
    ANN NDUTA

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  10. Mueni14 February 2019 at 01:27

    Guidance and counseling section for the affected victims helps them to accept themselves, make informed decisions, cope better with their conditions, lead more postive lives and prevent HIV transmission .Guidance and counseling section for the un-affected helps them to avoid discrimination and to stop stigma towards the affected victims, by christine.

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  11. EMMA14 February 2019 at 01:28

    Most people living with HIV tend to a lot of stress and others may lead to depression ,,,,its appropriate and recommended that people living with the virus to undergo guiding and counselling in order to allow them and give them hope in life.....by Immaculate

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  12. Unknown14 February 2019 at 01:53

    Guidance and counselling is necessary for the infected to give them motivation to keep going.it helps them accept the truth and move on with their lives.

    Maureen.

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  13. Unknown14 February 2019 at 02:20

    guidance and counselling gives hiv victims another view of life in such they view everything in a positive way and that helps in fight for stigma and depression thus playing a big role in their health
    victor mutua

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  14. Sharon14 February 2019 at 03:14

    Guidance and counselling to people living with HIV/AIDS is very important in a way that the infected people are guided on what to do and what to avoid, in most cases they are given hope to continue living a normal life, therefore there should be many VCTs where both the infected and the infected should be counselled.

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  15. Irene muthoni14 February 2019 at 03:15

    PLWHAS have many challages but with guiding and coundelling they can be tbe encouraged to hold on and educate other
    Irene Muthoni

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  16. Serah14 February 2019 at 03:55

    Guiding and counseling has helped alot of people on how to live with the virus .And also how to help the infected and affected people

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  17. Abdikheir14 February 2019 at 05:45

    Many people living with HIV and aids they overcome various challenges such us depression and stress ....its good to give HIV and aids people hope and moral for them to have good intention for living

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  18. Abdikheir14 February 2019 at 05:58

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  19. Yasmin Abdisaman14 February 2019 at 08:30

    guidance is very important to people that are infected with HIV becouse some of them are depressed and give up on life but with the support group they can share and talk about their problems with the other members.This can give them hope and purpose in life

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  20. ZAKARIYA R SHEIKH14 February 2019 at 09:44

    HIV testing and counselling form the gateway to care, treatment and support for persons in need by copping better with their condition, lead more positive lives and prevent HIV transmission.

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  21. Unknown14 February 2019 at 12:14

    All forms of Hiv testing and counseling should be voluntary and adhere to the 5 c's....consent,confidentiality,counseling, contest results and connection s to care , treatment and prevention services..
    Diana..

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  22. Judy14 February 2019 at 12:15

    Guidance and counselling helps the infected
    person, family and friends to handle possible
    emotional reactions to h I v and aids,and also
    it support those whose lives have been affected.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Paul Shikanda15 February 2019 at 00:31

    Through guidance and counseling people living with HIV virus are given hope and encouraged that having the virus is not the end of someone.Guidance and conseling also makes the victims feel loved and are part of the society.Finally the victims accept themselves and live normal lives .

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  24. Selina15 February 2019 at 08:11

    Guiding and counseling for HIV positive persons has helped to reduce cases such as committing suicide after finding out they are positive.

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  25. Naomi Ngata15 February 2019 at 09:11

    Guidance and counselling should carefully be done before testing and after pronouncing the status.since some people don't easily accept the truth hence they need a thougher follow up of counselling to help them acccept themselves by Naomi Ngata

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  26. Victor15 February 2019 at 10:33

    It becomes easy to deal with people infected with HIV when they have been given the right gudance and councelling ...friends and family members of the infected hence show more love to them.. this brings hope to the infected and have postive thoughts on their life hence live long..victor mutuku

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  27. mercy mbuthia15 February 2019 at 13:39

    PLWHAS should be mentored by counselors, teachers by being on the forefront to inform them with timely and consistence medication they can improve their health and that is not the end of the road

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  28. Simon16 February 2019 at 06:26

    Guidance and counseling should be prioritized by the government to people living with hiv since it boast their morale

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  29. Benjamin william16 February 2019 at 11:59

    Guidance and counseling help people to know their stetus and also help them to understand whom they are,,,,

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  30. Unknown16 February 2019 at 12:01

    Guidance and counselling helps the ones who are infected get to know the ways of living infected but healthy and those who are not infected on the ways of preventing and controlling the spread in various different ways. BY; SAMIA

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  31. Nisteho16 February 2019 at 12:28

    Multiple approaches are used in providing education and prevention counselling 'at risk`individuals and also those infected with HIV/AIDS.

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  32. Unknown16 February 2019 at 12:36

    Guidance and counseling is helpful as it makes people to come out in public and be free from feelings like they don't belong in the world
    Faiza

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  33. Angelyne otieno17 February 2019 at 06:41

    Guidance and counseling is way much better since it makes them cope with their conditions and might bring them to come out,to feel free to the world and others can testify and thus twill lead others to come out and those not affected will take care of themselves.

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  34. Anonymous18 February 2019 at 00:34

    Guidance and counselling is the best way since it makes those who are positive to feel free and wanting to the society and this makes them to leave long even thou being positive.

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  35. Naomi18 February 2019 at 04:30

    Guidance and counseling to people living with HIV/AIDS is very vital to their daily lives.this helps these individuals to well cope to their condition and acceptance of their selves. they should find a good counselors who will guide them and make them realize their worth in the society.The infected should not be separated in the society but instead be together.This makes them feel honored and loved.By doing all this,it helps them in living many days on earth since idleness will eliminate them.By Naomi.

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  36. faith20 February 2019 at 01:38

    Guidance and counseling of living with HIV it is important because they feel they free and being loved and also this is a way of giving them hope and showing them love.BY FAITH

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  37. Unknown22 February 2019 at 11:23

    HIV guidance and counseling is a dialogue between clients and care provider aimed at enabling the client to cope with stress and decision making related to HIV/AIDS....by Rahma

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  38. Unknown28 February 2019 at 08:48

    People living with HIV encounter alot of emotional torture having a trustworthy person who they can confide in or share their feelings on whatever they are going through daily gives the hope to fight on
    Hellen

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  39. Zanzam1 March 2019 at 11:26

    Guidance and counselling should be given to all I.e affected and those people who are not infected to help them overcome stress..zamzam

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  40. Peter2 March 2019 at 05:21

    Counselling of the people living with HIV helps in giving hope .in which it also reduces stress and the evaluation of personal risk of HIV transmission.

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  41. Janet3 March 2019 at 01:02

    Guidance and counseling will help in increasing life through bringing the positivity in people infected with HIV because others even think of committing suicide

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  42. Edward Lepash5 March 2019 at 01:32

    Guidance and counselling should be offered to the infected person and his/her family so that they can be able to live without stigmatising the patient.

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  43. Benjamin william5 March 2019 at 11:26

    Through guidance and couselling will enable the victim to have hope and it will make them strong

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  44. Unknown6 March 2019 at 13:30

    This may be one of the best thing given to the HIV affected since it gives them hope that they are loved and cared for

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  45. Aubrey7 March 2019 at 03:34

    Guidance and counseling is beneficial in the sense that it helps pple living with hiv to be more open with their problems and get further information from experts who are willing to help in giving support in many ways e.g financial assistance etc

    ReplyDelete
  46. rachel gichia8 March 2019 at 23:06

    Guidance and counselling helps infected people gain courage and talk publicly on prevention of HIV and AIDs.It also help them to live positive lives as other people

    ReplyDelete
  47. siyad muhumed14 March 2019 at 04:16

    Guidance and counseling of people living with HIV/AIDS assists the subjects to make informed decisions, cope better with their condition, lead more positive lives and prevent HIV transmission.

    ReplyDelete
  48. Unknown16 March 2019 at 07:26

    Guidance and counselling assist people living with hiv to lives positive nd give them hopes...by zamzam ahmed

    ReplyDelete
  49. Fatuma25 March 2019 at 09:52

    Guidance and councelling help people living with Hiv because it guides them how they can live with and minimize the rate transmitting to others

    ReplyDelete

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