The impact of counselling on HIV-infected women in Zimbabwe

The objective of this study was to examine the impact of counselling provided for HIV-infected women in Zimbabwe. Qualitative research was used for data collection. In total, 44 women were heard; most were members of an HIV support group. Doctors and nurses play an important role in the first counselling session, because tests to diagnose HIV-infection are done in the hospital. Interviewed women mention slow disclosure of status as the most comforting way to hear the news. The HIV-infected women experience strong emotions directly after diagnosis. Counselling at this moment is of major importance to reduce fear and can prevent suicide. Women should be prevented from discovering their status on their own. Counselling given once is found not to be effective. First, if only one counselling session is given, the women may not hear or remember all that is said. Second, in case of depression, access to counselling is important and it appears that periods of depression return frequently. Support groups play an important role in providing this continuous counselling. Another advantage of the counselling provided by HIV-positive women of a support group is that the counsellors function as examples.