Pre–test counselling is likely to require consideration of:

• Risk assessment. Has the individual been at risk?
• The accuracy of HIV testing.
• Understanding of safer sex and safer drug use.
• The pros and cons of testing for this individual at this moment in time. How would the individual react to a positive result right now? Are there good clinical reasons why a test is advisable? Is the individual pregnant?
• The testing procedure, including how the test is done, the procedure for informing of the results, post–test counselling, and who to tell about taking the test.
• Confidentiality: a discussion of the procedures to protect confidentiality.
• Discussion of post–testing issues, including post–test counselling, how the individual might react to a positive result or a negative result, what clinical and social services are available, contact tracing.
• Special needs of particular groups: gay and bisexual men, injecting drug users and women attending antenatal clinics are likely to have particular needs of pre–test counselling.