Course Summary:

This course aims to equip participants with the necessary skills to deal with HIV/AIDS in different care, counselling and educational situations in the multicultural South African context. The course offers participants the opportunity to: disseminate correct and relevant information on HIV/AIDS in the community; facilitate the breakdown of negative attitudes, stereotypes and misconceptions about HIV/AIDS; promote HIV/AIDS prevention strategies in the community; counsel clients on various HIV/AIDS aspects; provide pre- and post-HIV test counselling; deal with cultural and sexual diversity; apply basic legal and ethical issues in various contexts; understand the basic principles of home-based care; use resources and be able to participate in networking; develop and facilitate educational programmes 

Course Objectives:

• Self- and target group assessment 
• Principles of adult learning 
• Selecting and utilising training technology and methods 
• Planning and designing training modules, programmes and workshops 
• Facilitation and co-facilitation skills 
• Evaluation of training content and process 
• Giving and receiving feedback 
• Managing stress 

Course Outline

Fundamental facts about HIV/AIDS 

• HIV and the immune system 
• Transmission of HIV 
• HIV/AIDS related symptoms and diseases (including TB and STI's) 
• Diagnosis of HIV infection and Aids 
• Management of HIV infection 

Prevention and empowerment in the HIV/AIDS context 

• Principles and strategies of behavioural change 
• Principles of adult education 
• Safer sex practices 
• Sexuality education and life skills training for school children (optional) 
• Sexual and cultural diversity 

HIV/AIDS Counselling 

• Basic counselling principles and skills 
• Counselling in diverse contexts 
• Pre- and post-HIV test counselling 
• Spiritual and bereavement counselling 

Care and Support 

• Home-based care 
• Support for orphans and other vulnerable children 
• Infection control 
• Care and nursing principles (optional) 
• Positive living 
• Care for the caregiver 

Legal, Ethical, Human rights and Management Issues 

• Legal, ethical and management issues (hospitals, workplace, schools) 
• Guidelines on confidentiality, informed consent and disclosure