Citation

Krabbendam AA, Kuijper B, Wolffers IN, Drew R. AIDS Care 1998; 10 Suppl 1: S25-37.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1998, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/09540129850124343

PMID

9625892

Abstract

The objective of this study was to examine the impact of counselling provided for HIV-infected women in Zimbabwe. Qualitative research was used for data collection. In total, 44 women were heard; most were members of an HIV support group. Doctors and nurses play an important role in the first counselling session, because tests to diagnose HIV-infection are done in the hospital. Interviewed women mention slow disclosure of status as the most comforting way to hear the news. The HIV-infected women experience strong emotions directly after diagnosis. Counselling at this moment is of major importance to reduce fear and can prevent suicide. Women should be prevented from discovering their status on their own. Counselling given once is found not to be effective. First, if only one counselling session is given, the women may not hear or remember all that is said. Second, in case of depression, access to counselling is important and it appears that periods of depression return frequently. Support groups play an important role in providing this continuous counselling. Another advantage of the counselling provided by HIV-positive women of a support group is that the counsellors function as examples.

Language: en

Keywords

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome--women; Adult; Africa; Africa South Of The Sahara; Anxiety; Behavior; Clinic Activities; Communication; Counseling; Data Collection; Depression; Developing Countries; Diseases; Eastern Africa; Economic Factors; English Speaking Africa; Evaluation; Female; Focus Groups; Group Meetings; HIV Infections; Hiv Infections--women; Humans; Interpersonal Relations; Interviews; Middle Aged; Needs; Organization And Administration; Program Activities; Program Evaluation; Programs; Psychological Factors; Qualitative Evaluation; Research Methodology; Research Report; Self-Help Groups; Social Support; Truth Disclosure; Viral Diseases; Zimbabwe