ART : the views of counsellors about skills needed in counselling HIV/AIDS patients

[摘要] South Africa is experiencing a serious HIV/AIDS (Human Immunodeficiency Virus/AcquiredImmune Deficiency Syndrome) epidemic, with millions of its people living with the disease anddying from related diseases. As there is no cure as yet, counselling as a form of intervention is oneof the most powerful ways to address the psychosocial aspects of HIV/AIDS.The motivation for this study was the lack of research concerning skills needed by counsellors incounselling HIV/AIDS patients who are on antiretroviral treatment (ART) or are about tocommence antiretroviral treatment. To add to the knowledge that is lacking, the study wasapproached by means of both quantitative and qualitative research methods. The purpose of theresearch was explorative and descriptive. The discussion on the literature that was studied providesan overview of the implications of HIV/AIDS for the individual and the family, and of thepsychosocial implications, in addition to describing antiretroviral treatment and the nature of HIVand adherence counselling processes and skills.A sample of 16 adherence counsellors who were between the ages of 27 and 57 years wasinterviewed. These adherence counsellors were employed by Sothemba Aids Action, placed at thedifferent ART sites, trained at the Aids, Training, Information and Counselling Centre (ATTIC) andhave gained one or more years' experience in HIV/AIDS counselling. A semi-structuredquestionnaire was used as research instrument. It contained both open- and closed-ended questions.All the interviews took place at the clinics where the counsellors were employed or worked.The results of the study showed that an equal number of respondents from two different ethnicgroups were interviewed; all the participants had received high school education; and a fewobtained tertiary level qualifications. They all received training in basic counselling skills andadherence counselling skills. A few indicated additional training in Voluntary Counselling andTesting (VCT), as well as Prevention of Mother-to-child Transmission Counselling (PMTC). Aminority of counsellors indicated making use of a translator and that their experience was that themessage was always misinterpreted. All the adherence counsellors indicated a need for furthertraining involving social problems and counselling of children at different ages and stages ofdevelopment. It was also found that the adherence counsellors lack skills in counselling interventionprocesses and in intervention. All the adherence counsellors raised concerns regarding theirworking conditions and salaries.In light of the above it is recommended that patients be counselled in their preferred language, thatall counsellors receive the same training in counselling and in the additional areas where theyexperience a shortcoming.Data on HIV/AIDS and adherence counselling, including the views of counsellors and patients arelimited. It is recommended that more research be done on HIV/AIDS and adherence counselling,including the different disciplines that are involved and the views of patients about services rendered to them by those in the different disciplines, and counsellors.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University