Knowledge of human papillomavirus among high school students can be increased by an educational intervention

• The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of an educational intervention concerning human papillomavirus (HPV) directed at Swedish first year high school students. The intervention consisted of a class room lesson, a website and a folder. Outcome variables were knowledge of HPV and attitudes to preventive methods such as HPV vaccination, condom use and Pap smear testing. An intervention group (n = 92) was matched with two comparison groups (n = 184). At baseline, the median score for HPV knowledge was one out of 10 in both groups. At follow-up, the median knowledge score had increased to six in the intervention group, but was still one in the comparison group (P < 0.001). Attitudes to HPV vaccination, condom use and Pap smear testing remained the same (P > 0.05). In conclusion, a short school-based intervention can greatly increase the students' knowledge about HPV, but attitudes and behaviours are less easy to influence.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Dermatologi och venereologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Dermatology and Venereal Diseases (hsv//eng)

Keyword

hpv

knowledge

adolescent

intervention

HPV vaccine

prevention

condom

Dermatology and venerology,clinical genetics, internal medicine

Dermatologi och venerologi, klinisk genetik, invärtesmedicin

Vårdvetenskap

Caring Sciences

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)