UNISA Short course in the Orientation and Background to HIV Aids Care and Counselling
The purpose of this module is to empower students with the necessary knowledge, skills and attitudes to manage their own lives in the HIV environment and to council, support and empower others in their communities to understand HIV, to prevent HIV infection, to manage HIV, and to know their rights in the HIV context.
Students and professionals in the health, human and social sciences.
Module 1: A Senior Certificate or an equivalent NQF level 4 qualification is recommended
6 months
English
The ODL approach is followed. Study material includes tutorial letters, a prescribed book and a CD. Students are encouraged to make use of myUnisa.
- One multiple choice assignment to test understanding, insight, knowledge and application; and
One portfolio where students do experiential exercises, complete comprehension tests/essays, do a practical task (e.g. visit an Aids organisation) and draw on their lived experiences to answer questions.
The module covers knowledge of HIV and Aids in general, principles and strategies of behaviour change to prevent HIV infection, HIV counselling principles and skills, care and support for the HIV infected person, and ethics in the HIV field.
The module consists of the following themes:
Theme 1: Fundamental facts about HIV/Aids
- The history of HIV
- HIV and the immune system
- Transmission and prevention of HIV
- Symptoms and diseases (including TB and STIs)
- HIV testing
- Antiretroviral Therapy
Theme 2: Prevention and empowerment in the HIV/Aids context
- How to change harmful behaviour
- How to develop educational programmes for various contexts.
- Diversity in terms of sexual, gender and cultural issues.
Theme 3: HIV counselling, care and support
- Basic counselling principles and skills
- Counselling in diverse contexts
- Pre- and post-HIV-test counselling
- Spiritual and bereavement counselling
- Basic principles of community home-based care
- Basic principles of orphan care
- Care for the caregiver
Theme 4: Ethics in HIV
- Human rights and the rights and responsibilities of HIV-infected people.
- Women and children’s rights.
Prof AC Van Dyk
PhD (Psychology)
Department of Psychology
Discipline expert in HIV and Aids
Theo van Wijk Building (Prof working from home)
Tel: 012 429 8514 or 0721749199
Fax: 012 429 6853
E-mail: vdykac@unisa.ac.za
Ms A Nogqala
Programme administrator
Unisa Centre for Applied Psychology
Office 5-169, Theo van Wijk Building, UNISA
Tel: 012 429 2590
Fax: 012 429 6853
E-mail: nogqaa@unisa.ac.za
E-mail: ucap@unisa.ac.za
