HIV Counselors' Understanding of the Developmental Needs, Concerns and Problems of their Adult Clients: the Case of VCT Counselors in Addis Ababa
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Date
2007-06
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Addis Ababa Univerisity
Abstract
HIV / AIDS has become a widespread epidemic in Sub-Saharan Africa including Ethiopia. It
has challenged the African societies in many ways today above and beyond toiling the life of
millions of adults.
Different measures were taken by governmental and non-governmental agencies to cope up
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with the problem. A major effort has been that of establishing voluntary counseling and
testing (VCT) centers. Counselors were employed and trained to shoulder the major
responsibilities of VCTs. It is believed that the training given to them and/or the knowledge
and skills of the counselors is expected to address the developmental profile of the adult
counselees.
The purpose of this research is to attempt to assess the HIV counselors' understanding of the
developmental needs, concerns, and problems of their adult clients.
The participants were 40 HIV counselors working in various VCT centers in Addis Ababa,
drawn based on stratified sampling techniques. Data were gathered through an open-ended
questionnaires being designed by the researcher.
The study found out the following limitations in the counseling services:
• The counselors understanding of the developmental needs, concerns and
problems of their adult clients was not found adequate.
• The general role provisions of HIV counselors seemed to be that of the role of
a facilitator to the adherence of HIV drugs (ART) while it was supposed to
provide independent HIV counseling.
• Except for the adherence of ART drugs, there was no well designed follow up
and family counseling to address the worries and problems of HIV positive
adult clients related including to income, family responsibilities, social
relationship child rearing and work loads.
Recommendations were forwarded based on the findings above.
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Keywords
HIV Counselors