Description of Comprehensive PPTCT Counsellors’ Training: The Backbone of PPTCT Services in India

Abstract

Counselling prior to and after HIV testing is an important component of Prevention of Parent to Child Transmission (PPTCT) services. ASHA Foundation, a non-governmental organization (NGO), has been providing PPTCT services since 2002. This includes training of counsellors. The training workshop of 12-days duration comprises of an overview of HIV/AIDS counselling skills, pre- and post-test counselling in the context of PPTCT, supportive counselling for HIV-positive women and their families, universal precautions and recording and documentation. We present the data on paired pre- and post-workshop score results on knowledge of PPTCT among 85 trained counsellors using the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) questionnaire. The mean pre-test score was 16.6 and post-test was 26.9 from a maximum of 39, with a mean percentage change of 26.5 per cent, for the questions focused on PPTCT, which was significantly different from the mean percentage change of 13.5 per cent in the non-PPTCT questions (p < 0.05).

This showed that training improved their knowledge in PPTCT considerably. Studies to evaluate attitudes, skills and cost effectiveness of a holistic model of PPTCT training need to be undertaken, especially in the wake of the new PPTCT, World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines.

Keywords

PPTCT HIV positive counsellors’ training pregnant women antenatal care

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