AEGiS-10IAC: Participatory development of counseling media for HIV-infected persons.

10th International AIDS Conference


Yokohama, Japan — Aug 7-12, 1994

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Participatory development of counseling media for HIV-infected persons.

Int Conf AIDS 1994 Aug 7-12; 10:392 (abstract no. PD0748)
Ngamvitayapong J, Uthaivoravit W, Sawanpanyalert P, Takahashi H; Chulalongkorn Univ.

OBJECTIVES: to assess needs and to develop appropriate counseling media for asymptomatic HIV-infected persons through participatory approach.

METHODS: This action research is composed of assessing the current problems of and needs for counseling media, and developing appropriate media based on findings from the needs assessment. Twelve asymptomatic HIV-infected persons were in-depth interviewed and discussions were also made with a physician and 6 nurse counselors who provide health and counseling services to HIV-infected persons in Chiangrai Hospital.

RESULTS: Currently, media targeted specifically to asymptomatic HIV-infected persons do not exist. Due to increasing workloads in counseling and limited time, the physician and the counselors expressed their needs for a good booklet containing essential information on HIV/AIDS for self study by the infected persons. The book will also be helpful to explain to the clients the process of HIV infection and appearance of AIDS symptoms. In the clients' perspective, existing media for general health education are not appropriate because they are either stigmatizing (e.g. entitled, "AIDS and YOU") or threatening (e.g. carrying the notion of AIDS as a deadly disease without cure) or both. The clients expressed their desire for the booklet to be written in simple words without medical jargon or English. In addition, frightening pictures of opportunistic infections should also be excluded. The on-going developing phase of the booklet has been enjoying active participation from the counselors and clients.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Targeted media to convey HIV/AIDS information are needed by both HIV-infected asymptomatic clients and their counselors. To ensure maximum utilization of the media, it is essential that active participation be sought from the target audience.

Keywords: AEGIS, HIV, Counseling, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV Infections, Human Development, Health Services Needs and Demand, HIV Antibodies, Patient Education, Health Education, Human, ICA10KWDaegis,hiv,counseling,acquiredimmunodeficiencysyndrome,hivinfections,humandevelopment,healthservicesneedsanddemand,hivantibodies,patienteducation,healtheducation,human,ica10
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PD0748

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