Couples’ workshop on HIV awareness and counselling
20 married couples learned how HIV is transmitted and prevented, and why communication and mutual support matter, at a workshop with Johns Hopkins facilitators.
On 11 November 2023, MASYAP held a couples’ workshop on HIV/AIDS awareness and counselling at Blantyre Lodge. Twenty couples attended, with two facilitators from Johns Hopkins and a sheikh.
The aim was to teach married couples how HIV is transmitted and how it can be prevented.
Why counselling and testing
HIV counselling and testing is a key part of HIV prevention and the gateway to life-saving treatment and care. Good-quality counselling and testing reduces risky behaviour, encourages condom use and helps prevent new HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
The workshop
The day included role-play and group discussions, and participants were encouraged to share their thoughts and experiences. Most of the participants were young couples, who were able to learn from the experience of older couples.
The workshop met its objectives. Participants left with a better understanding of how HIV is transmitted and prevented, and of how important communication and mutual support between partners are in preventing its spread.
