STIs, the importance of safer sex to reduce these risks, and a plan to reduce risks • discuss client’s responsibility to inform partner(s) if they have been exposed to HIV, and actions that they will take to prevent transmission to others • if the client feels unable to disclose at this time, discuss using condoms to reduce the risk of infecting the partner(s). Ensure the client knows how to use condoms. Discuss how s/he can negotiate condom use • if the client requests support to inform partner(s) of HIV status, make a plan to support her/him. • offer the client a follow-up counselling session • discuss follow-up care and support (additional counselling, counselling of other family members, social support, legal advice, referral for STI, FP, OI or other medical referral) • help the client summarise plans for immediate support, preventing infection and re-infection, and referrals • discuss date of follow-up session
APPENDIX D
For further information and practical tips on providing post-test counselling, see section 6 (Counselling after the HIV antibody test) of IPPF’s UNFPA-supported publication Programme Guidance on Counselling for STI/HIV Prevention in Sexual and Reproductive Health Settings, www.ippf.org/resource/Counselling
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