Role of Counseling Services in Mitigating Risky Sexual Behaviors among Undergraduate Students

A case of Kabarak and Egerton Main Campuses in Nakuru County, Kenya

Abstract

This study’s purpose was to identify the role of counselling services in mitigating risky sexual behaviours among undergraduate students of main campuses in Nakuru County. Social Learning Theory by Albert Bandura and Person-Centred Theory by Carl Rogers guided the study. The study was carried out among 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th and 6^th year undergraduate students from main campuses in Nakuru County. The study adopted a correlational research design. The target population was 18570 undergraduate students. The accessible population was 8456 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th and 6^th year undergraduate students whose sample was 367. Simple random sampling technique was used to select the respondents. The study included a sample of 10 peer counsellors and 2 student counsellors from the Egerton University and Kabarak University main campuses who were selected through purposive sampling. Data were obtained using questionnaire for undergraduate students, focus group discussions guide for peer counsellors and interview schedule for student counsellors. Validation of research instruments was done through peer and expert review and also through pilot testing which was done in Mount Kenya University (MKU) - Nakuru Campus. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse quantitative data using SPSS Version 25 whereas the qualitative data was analysed thematically. The analysed data was presented in tables, graphs, and narratives. The researcher considered ethics of confidentiality and informed consent. The findings indicated that counselling services play a key role in universities in mitigating risky sexual behaviours among undergraduate students.