7th International AIDS Conference Florence, Italy — June 16-21, 1991

Int Conf AIDS 1991 Jun 16-21; 7:459 (abstract no. W.D.4285)
Morosini P, Gigantesco A, Serpelloni G, Galvan U, Gnarini R, Guidetti E, Giuliani M; Lab. Epidemiologia e Biostatistica- I.S.S., Roma, Italy

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study are: 1) to compare the process of counseling in two different centers with a full counseling programme; 2) to evaluate the effectiveness of counseling other two centers in which counseling is left to individual staff attitude and skill are assessed as control.

METHODS: Subjects are eligible if the anti-HIV test is performed for the first time in the involved centers. Access data include sex, age, risk category, history of HIV exposure, education level, type of family. Pre and post tests are mainly self-filled questionnaires and include: - a major modification of the AIDS Risk Knowledge Test (the modifications aim at receiving more information related to the actual behaviour; furthermore some questionnaires appeared outdated and of debatable answer in their original formulation); - a modification of the MAC Test (Watson), originally designed to assess the coping strategies in cancer patients; - a battery of psychometrics tests on anxiety and depression (Goldberg), the Self-Esteem Questionnaire (Rosenberg), and a questionnaire on social support and social network taken from the IBD (Van Dam Baggen). The tests are performed at the first contact with the service and after 15 days and after 3 months in the counseling centers, only at the initial contact and after 3 months in the control centres. Another outcome criteria is the compliance with follow-up visits. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: About 100 subjects are being recruited. The first results show a marked improvement in knowledge and psychological state in the counseling centers.

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