Condom use and vaccination – An intervention aimed at high school students

Abstract

Background: Primary prevention methods against cervical dysplasia/cancer are condom use and vaccination. The aim of this intervention was to improve high school students’ knowledge and attitudes about cervical dysplasia/cancer and its primary prevention methods. The intervention was based on the Health Belief Model. Methods: Quasi-experimental design. A questionnaire was completed before and after the intervention by an intervention group (n=92) and two comparison groups (n=182). The intervention consisted of an informative web site, give-away condoms, a folder, and a one-hour lesson on school hours focusing on discussions about perceived barriers and perceived benefits of the primary prevention methods. Findings: At baseline, the median knowledge score was one out of ten possible correct answers in all groups but at follow-up, the median knowledge score had increased to 6 out of ten in the intervention group while it was unaffected in the comparison groups (p<0,001). The findings did not indicate any change in attitudes (p>0,05). Discussion: An effect on knowledge was achieved but to see an effect on attitude and most likely also behaviour change a more comprehensive intervention is needed.