Use of counselling services by school-attending adolescent girls in Nigeria

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the predictors and barriers to the use of school counselling services by school attending adolescent girls in south-east Nigeria.
Method: The study used a cross-sectional survey of 3 065 adolescent girls, using a self-report counselling utilisation scale. Data were analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics.
Results: About 80% of the participants had school counsellors and nearly half of the participants utilised the service. Regression results showed that father’s level of education, availability of a counselling laboratory/room, contentment with the counselling services rendered predicted the use of the counselling service. Some of the barriers for non-use of school counselling services were shyness, fear and lack of confidentiality.
Conclusion: School authorities will encourage uptake of counselling services by adolescents when adequate counselling consulting rooms are provided. This will increase confidence in adolescent clients and reduce fear attached to use of these services. This will improve their mental health and their academic performance.