A school-based educational intervention can increase adolescents’ knowledge and awareness about HPV

• Background / ObjectivesBackground: In Sweden HPV vaccination is offered to girls aged 10-12 years within the school-based vaccination program, while older girls (13-26 years) are offered the vaccine through the primary care. The vaccination rates are substantially lower (59%) among the catch-up group compared to the younger age group (82%). Adolescents have low awareness and knowledge about HPV, especially regarding cancer risks. The providers - school nurses - play a key role in providing such information. Upper secondary school students, aged 16 years, are by the school nurse offered a health interview, which includes a dialogue regarding their health, including sexual health. The health interview does however not include systematic information about HPV.Objectives: To improve adolescents’ knowledge and awareness about primary prevention of high risk HPV infection.MethodsMethods: A cluster-randomised controlled trial among upper secondary schools (n=18) was performed. Schools were first randomised to an intervention or control group, after which individual classes were randomised. In total, 832 students, boys and girls aged 16 years attending theoretical or vocational programs were invited to participate. In the end, 741 (89.1%) students completed the256study. The intervention was based on the Health Belief Model (HBM). School nurses delivered 30 minutes of face-to-face structured information about HPV, including cancer risks and HPV prevention (i.e. condom use and HPV vaccination) to the intervention group. Students in both groups completed questionnaires at baseline and at follow-up after three months. The control group received standard treatment, i.e. the regular health interview with the school nurse. Generalized estimating equation analyses were used for examining the results of the intervention.ResultsResults: The intervention had positive effects on the adolescents’ knowledge (p<0.001), with a 0.582 higher score for the intervention group compared to the control group. There were no differences in knowledge due to sex (p=0.093) or immigrant background (p=0.592). The intervention also increased awareness (p<0.001), with a 0.590 higher score for the intervention compared to the control. Again, there were no differences in awareness due to sex (p=0.183) or immigrant background (p=0.319).ConclusionConclusions: The school-based intervention delivered by school nurses, had favourable effects on knowledge and awareness about primary prevention of HPV among adolescents aged 16 years.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Folkhälsovetenskap, global hälsa, socialmedicin och epidemiologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Public Health, Global Health, Social Medicine and Epidemiology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Hälsovetenskap

Health and Caring Sciences

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

kon (subject category)