Reduction in HIV transmission needs continuous, comprehensive and effective communication channels to disseminate messages that will sustain efforts to motivate adolescents to engage in a range of options to reduce the risk of HIV infection. Life skills education, an integral part of school-based AIDS programs that include sexual and reproductive health information, has been a timely prevention effort in schools.1 This has proven to be an effective method in delaying the onset of sexual intercourse, and among sexually experienced youth, in increasing the use of condoms and decreasing the number of sexual partners. Life skills are behaviors that enable individuals to adapt to and deal effectively with the demands and challenges of life. The life skills approach is an interactive, educational methodology that not only focuses on transmitting knowledge but also aims at shaping attitudes and developing interpersonal skills. The main goal of the life skills approach is to enhance young people’s ability to take responsibility for making healthier choices, resisting negative pressures, and avoiding risk behaviors. Limited studies have been done on assessing life skills of adolescents in schools. Findings from this study will provide baseline for programmatic scale up.
Objective
To assess the predictors of life-skills-based HIV/AIDS education on sexual behaviour among secondary school students in South West, Nigeria.