AEGiS-10IAC: Group counselling of people with HIV--Lusaka, Zambia.

10th International AIDS Conference

Yokohama, Japan — Aug 7-12, 1994

Group counselling of people with HIV--Lusaka, Zambia.

Int Conf AIDS 1994 Aug 7-12; 10:391 (abstract no. PD0745)
Campbell T, Chanda C, Phiri M, Mukosha J, Sheth G; Kara Counselling & Training Trust, Lusaka, Zambia.

OBJECTIVES: Kara Counselling & Training Trust provides group counselling services to PHIV's. The aims of these groups are to provide psychological support information and education about HIV/AIDS. Groups do not aim specifically at sexual behaviour change. This study evaluates the overall helpfulness of these groups and focuses specifically on changes in sexual behaviour and feelings of anxiety and depression.

METHOD: 14 women (mean age 30.2 years; range 21.38 years) and 4 men (mean age 33.37 years; range 26-45 years) participated in 2 groups with 9 participants in each. Marital status is shown in Table 1. 77% of participants had learned their status in the 3 months prior to the start of the groups. The groups ran simultaneously in an HIV/AIDS resource centre for 1 1/2 hours over a 10 week period. The groups were each facilitated by 2 counsellors. Participants had been referred by counsellors, clinics and a Home Based Care Team. An in-depth semi-structured interview was conducted with each participants at pre- and post-group.

RESULTS: Pre-Group 55% of participants reported feeling anxiety and depression. Sexual activity in the previous month is show in Table 2. Post-Group 100% of participants rated the groups as very helpful. 44.4% stated that being with other PHIV's was very helpful. 88% said they felt less depressed and worried. 27% said they knew more about condom use and safer sex. Sexual activity in the previous month is shown in table 2. TABULAR DATA, SEE ABSTRACT VOLUME.

CONCLUSIONS: 1. The groups were effective in reducing feelings of anxiety and depression. 2. Sexual activity at post-group interview had increased overall and unprotected sexual activity had also increased. 3. 27% said they knew knew more about condom use and safer sex. This was not reflected in lower rates of unprotected sex. 4. Reduced feelings of anxiety and depression may have encouraged risk taking behaviours.

Keywords: AEGIS, Counseling, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV Infections, Safe Sex, HIV Antibodies, Mental Disorders, Depression, Zambia, Human, Female, Male, ICA10
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