The efficacy of reality therapy in the reduction of Hiv/Aids – risk behaviour among adolescents in Nigeria

Abstract

Over the years HIV had been a life threatening virus. Governments, organisations and parents are not comfortable particularly when the thought of their adolescent children comes to mind. Consequently, it became necessary to embark on investigating the efficacy of RealityTherapy (RT) on reduction of HIV-risk behaviour among adolescents in Ogun state. Interactive effects of gender differences and age group on HIV- risk behaviour among the population were also investigated. Using a multi-stage approach a total of twenty (20) SS2 students (10 males and 10 females) identified to exhibit HIV risk behaviour were randomlydrawn from two public co-educational schools from two local Government Areas in Ogun state after administering an assessment questionnaire [HIV Risk Behaviour Assessment Questionnaire (HRBAQ). A 2x2 pre -test, post- test control group design was used. The psychometric properties of the instruments used in the study were established using contentvalidity and test-re-test methods. Group one was exposed to RT while the control received “placebo”. Three research hypotheses were formulated and tested at 0.05 significant levels. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data. Also used werepercentages, Analysis of variance (ANOVA), Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) for post-hoc test. Results showed significant difference between the pre and post test mean scores of the participants in the treatment group and those in thecontrol [F (2, 20) = 39.86; p < 0.05]. Significant differences were also found in the HIV risk behaviour of participants (i) between the age group of 16-17 years and 18 years and above [F (2, 10) = 6.21; p< 0.05 ]. (ii) in gender [F (2,10) =5.83; p < 0.05 ]. It was recommended that there was a need to integrate cognitive restructuring procedures into counselloreducation curriculum as a corrective measure as well as a preventive measure in dealing with HIV- risk behaviour among adolescents and adults. Based on the efficacy of the therapy used in this study, it was further recommended that counsellors should arm themselves withthe technique and apply same on students from time to time in order to check their HIV-risk behaviours.