Promoting HIV prevention: a problem identification approach to interventions in post-HIV test counselling

HIV antibody testing now occurs in a wide variety of clinical settings. Counselling at the time of HIV testing involves more than obtaining informed consent and there can be an active role for HIV prevention strategies. Whilst research has not clearly identified the effectiveness of either HIV testing or counselling for HIV prevention, HIV testing does allow for focused discussions with individuals about risk behaviour. Therefore all efforts to refine interventions to enhance HIV prevention must be encouraged. Interventions which encourage clients to examine beliefs about behaviours and relationships can bring about an increase in perceived choices, and thereby lead to changes in behaviour. A model is presented for conducting post-HIV test counselling for use by health professionals involved in HIV testing. Examples of questions and question styles are provided to illustrate this framework which addresses prevailing beliefs and encourages contributions from clients.