Table 2.
Establishing Discordant Couple Self-help Groups in Rakai, Uganda.
| Rationale |
| • To reduce myths and misinformation about the realities of couple HIV discordance, mitigate associated stigma and discrimination, and consequently improve self esteem and coping strategies among discordant couples. |
| Objectives |
| • To provide opportunity for fellowship and peer support. |
| • To provide opportunity for the negative partners to get information on risk reduction and address questions on couple HIV discordance. |
| • To provide forum where discordant couples can share experiences and challenges |
| • To help discordant couples develop ability to communicate accurate empathic understanding skills in marriage and family. |
| Anticipated Benefits |
| • Experiences will be shared with other members of the community and belonging will be cultivated. |
| • Group cohesiveness & Universality (all clients share the same problem and this is both supportive and therapeutic) |
| • Feedback will be shared among client’s themselves. |
| • Destructive criticism is unlikely |
| • The feelings of powerlessness which many people experience when they are sick/infected will be overcome as a result of the therapeutic effects of group membership |
| • Will allow clients to act as both clients and therapists |
| • Corrective emotional experiences (Clients who have been defensive and guarded will be encouraged to share their feelings with others and in doing so will become more self-confident and self-accepting) |
| • Imitative Behaviours (Clients will also learn from one another through observations and modelling and new ideas and attitudes will be explored and nurtured through group interaction.) |
| Requirements for Becoming a Member |
| • Discordant the last time they received their HIV results and know the status of one another |
| • Willing to continue participating in couple meetings regularly or as convened |
| • Willing to share with peers issues regarding HIV disclosure/discordance challenges and coping strategies |
| • Willing to respect Human rights and Human dignity of their partners |
| • Willing to provide support to either partner as necessary |
| • Willing to explore and implement realistic and concrete risk reduction steps/strategies |
| • Willing to keep and maintain confidentiality of all issues discussed in the group and abide by the restrictions of shared confidentiality |
| Counsellor/Group Leader roles |
| Beginning sessions |
| • Helping members get acquainted |
| • Setting a positive tone |
| • Clarifying the purpose of the group |
| • Explaining the leader’s role |
| • Explaining how the group sessions will be conducted |
| • Helping members verbalize expectations |
| • Checking out the comfort levels of the members |
| • Explaining group rules including the group contract |
| • Focusing on the content |
| • Addressing questions |
| Subsequent sessions |
| • Assessing the benefits |
| • Assessing members’ interest and commitment |
| • Assessing each member’s participation |
| • Assessing members’ level of trust and group cohesion |
| • Assessing how much to focus on the content or process |