HIV Counselling Resource Package for the Asia-Pacific
This resource package is both a training resource and reference tailored to the sociocultural and epidemic contexts of the Asia-Pacific. It concentrates on meeting the specific needs of individuals from socially marginalized populations, who are often at higher risk for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. It outlines the key activities and information involved in training HIV counselors and goes beyond simple pre- and post-test counseling.

The package takes into account the heterogeneity of trainees and their backgrounds. The intended audience includes trainers, counselors in training, and working counselors, but the materials may also guide medical staff and care providers, counseling professionals, community-based workers, and lay counselors.

The objectives of this training package are to:

• Improve the technical capacity of counselors to provide HIV counseling across the disease continuum
• Train counselors in evidence-based counseling strategies that may help reduce HIV transmission
• Provide counselors with skills to support adherence to HIV treatment and care
• Reduce the psychological morbidity associated with HIV disease and improve the quality of life of people living with HIV

The resource package, intended to be adapted to specific work settings, includes three complementary elements listed above.