AEGiS-10IAC: Pre- and post-test counseling to a diverse group of HIV infected population.

10th International AIDS Conference


Yokohama, Japan — Aug 7-12, 1994

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Pre- and post-test counseling to a diverse group of HIV infected population.

Int Conf AIDS 1994 Aug 7-12; 10:394 (abstract no. PD0759)
Purohit A, Chakraborty J, Danner R, Hein D, Anderson C, Kiessling A; Faulkner Center for Reproductive Medicine, Harvard-Deaconess Surgical Service, Boston, MA 02130.

OBJECTIVE: To develop model protocols for pre- and post-test counseling for diverse groups of population, based on ethnicity, age, gender preference and cultural beliefs.

METHODS: In Boston City Hospital, the protocols for pre- and post-test counseling were revised and specific protocols were developed for Haitian, Latino, African American (black women and gay black men), injecting drug users, women, transsexuals and adolescents. After three months of training the counselors were allowed to use this new protocol.

RESULTS: With improved skills and modification of the pre- and post-test counseling protocols, the counselors felt more comfortable and confident in the management of their patients. In 1994, an increase of 3% to 7% in seropositivity was recorded as a result of better recruitment of different ethnic groups at high risk infection. As a result of this modified protocol we observed i) an increased rate of patient participation, risk reduction and relapse prevention; ii) about 85% of these patients who tested HIV positive were engaged directly in primary care. This is an increase of 35% over the previous year.

CONCLUSION: Design and implementation of culturally specific pre- and post-test counseling protocols is essential when dealing with a diverse group of population. Personal preference and beliefs must be dealt with in order to implement effective counseling.

Keywords: AEGIS, Counseling, HIV Infections, Blacks, Hispanic Americans, Homosexuality, Male, Sex Behavior, Population, HIV Seropositivity, Ethnic Groups, Boston, Haiti, Human, Female, Male, Adolescence, ICA10KWDaegis,counseling,hivinfections,blacks,hispanicamericans,homosexuality,male,sexbehavior,population,hivseropositivity,ethnicgroups,boston,haiti,human,female,male,adolescence,ica10
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PD0759

Copyright © 1994 - International AIDS Society (IAS). Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the IAS.