 |
Key Elements of Integrated Family Planning,
STI (including HIV) Prevention Counseling
It is important for health
care providers to take advantage of all opportunities to communicate prevention
messages. Providers are in a unique position to contribute to these efforts.
In addition to discussing STI/RTI prevention with clients, they can address
clients’ concerns and answer clients’ questions.
Risk perception: Helping
the client determine and perceive risk
Exploring the client’s
individual circumstances, risks, and needs:
- Use a sensitive approach
to eliciting information about the client’s personal life
- Consider the client’s
broad reproductive health needs
- Explore potential STI risk
factors
- Explore pregnancy prevention
needs—e.g., the client’s sexual life in terms of partner(s)
relationships and sexual practices; the client’s knowledge of whether
a partner has other partners or engages in other sexual behaviors that
are risky; whether the client talks to the partner about their sexual
life, family planning, and HIV and AIDS; the client’s and partner’s
STI/RTI history and present symptoms
Providing information:
- Explore the client’s
knowledge of STIs and HIV and fill in gaps
- Explain transmission
and risk of STIs (including HIV), relating them to the client’s individual situation
Decision making
- Discuss contraceptive and
STI prevention options in relation to the client’s individual needs
- Consider benefits of condoms
and dual method use
- Consider other options
for those at risk who cannot negotiate with their partners
- Help the client consider
feasibility and potential consequences of decisions
Skills to implement decisions
- Demonstrate correct condom
use
- Explain the use of other
selected family planning methods
- Discuss strategies for
sexual negotiation (safer sex, condom use, partner communication)
- Discuss alternate strategies
for women who cannot negotiate sex
© 2007 EngenderHealth
|
