Potential mothers and fathers

Counselling and voluntary HIV testing can help women and men who may be considering forming or expanding their families to:

· weigh up the risks and advantages of a pregnancy
· make choices about contraception
· make choices about preventing future HIV infection including condom use

Pregnant women who test HIV-negative

Counselling a woman following a negative test can help a woman

· understand and maintain safe behaviour to avoid future infection
· breastfeed for the greatest health of the infant

Pregnant women who test HIV-positive

Counselling a women following a positive test can help a woman

· decide whether to share her HIV status with anyone, and if so with whom
· choose to terminate her pregnancy where safe, legal and available
· choose antiretroviral therapy where available
· understand infant feeding options and choose that which is best in her circumstances
· learn more about HIV infection and its implications for her health
· access support groups and health services that promote positive living
· make choices about sexual behaviour and future fertility

Partners of pregnant women

Counselling and voluntary testing of partners of pregnant women helps couples

· support one another in decisions about care and infant feeding
· make decisions about future fertility
· choose behaviours which reduce the risk of contracting or spreading HIV

The wider community

Widespread availability and use of counselling and voluntary testing for HIV in a community can

· reduce fear, ignorance and stigma surrounding HIV
· stimulate a community response in support of those needing care
· contribute to an environment supportive of safer sexual behaviour