Modification of HIV-Risk Behaviour among In-School Adolescents

The prevalence of HIV/AIDS around the world has generated a lot of concern to parents most especially as the virus can be contracted through sexual behaviour. Since adolescents are known to be sexually active, the effect of Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT) and Reality Therapy (RT) on HIV-risk behaviour among adolescents in Ogun state, Nigeria was investigated. The main purpose of the study was to find out the relative efficacy of the two treatment procedures in modifying in-school adolescents¿ HIV-risk behaviours. The study also investigated the influence of gender and age on the adolescents¿ HIV/AIDS -risk behaviour and the durability of behaviour change after therapeutic conditions had been discontinued. The findings have implications for Counsellor Education and Counselling Practice. Hitherto, most counselling programmes were designed without including HIV/AIDS education in the curriculum. This is a deficiency in the curriculum as student counsellors and teachers will definitely encounter HIV- risk behaviours among the in-school adolescents. Counselors need to recognize the efficacy of the two treatment packages and apply them.