Assessment of Knowledge and Skill of Counseling among Counselors of SexuallyTransmitted Disease (STD) Urban Project

ABSTRACT

Introduction:Counselors in STI clinic have roles of educating and counseling for clients of STI clinic. They can help in prevention of STI by their counseling services among attendees of STI clinic. Current study was done to assess pre defined micro- macro counseling skills and knowledge practice gap among counselors working with STI project of city. Method: Total 25 counselors working at STI clinics of Urban Health Centers were observed and interviewed for their skill assessment. To assess counseling skills, counselors were observed in a session of counseling with real STI patient. Counseling was rated based on the performance of skill ranges from Worst, Very Poor, Poor, Average, Good and Excellent. Counselor then interviewed to assess their knowledge. Result:Majority of the counselors had average and good rate for micro and macro component of counseling. Wide gap of knowledge and practice was noted for use of Information Education and Communication tool and risk assessment. All counselors could mention risk group population for STI/HIV, but only 60% practiced risk assessment in a new diagnosed case of STI. All counselors were able to describe condom as component of STI prevention but 76% actually talked regarding condom in counseling session. Around 92 % of the counselors could introduce investigator's presence during the session to the client. Conclusion:There is definite knowledge practice gap among counselors of the urban project. Counselors were having satisfactory micro – macro skills for counseling, but core component of STI like risk assessment and condom promotion were lacking in practice