This digital document is an article from Journal of School Health, published by American School Health Association on September 1, 2003. The length of the article is 4157 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

From the author: Human papillomavirus (HPV), the most prevalent sexually transmitted disease (STD), continues to pose a significant public health problem especially among the adolescent population. Most precancerous and cancerous cervical changes are associated with HPV. with adolescent women being biologically at highest risk for acquiring HPV. This survey examined the type of information taught to adolescents about HPV, and specific" needs for effective HPV education in middle and high schools in Vermont. The survey addressed knowledge level, behavior, attitudes, enabling factors, motivators, and barriers. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and supplemented with contingency table analyses. Replies (n = 108) were received from 79 schools, with 60% of responses from nurses and 40%from teachers. In five of eight questions addressing basic knowledge of HPV, less than 60% of respondents gave the correct answer. Most (73%)felt it was important to teach about HPV relative to HIV/AIDS, but spent less classroom time teaching it. Main motivations for teaching about HPV were its importance, and a desire to increase student knowledge and prevention skills. Main barriers perceived were lack of time and materials and curricula, and need for more knowledge about HPV. The most prominent needs indicated included brochures for students, an increase in the educators' knowledge base, and a high school curriculum. Health educators in Vermont schools recognize the importance of teaching adolescents about HPV, but they lack basic knowledge and resources for teaching about HPV.

Citation Details
Title: Human papillomavirus (HPV) education in middle and high schools of Vermont.(Articles)
Author: Barbara G. Beatty
Publication:Journal of School Health (Refereed)
Date: September 1, 2003
Publisher: American School Health Association
Volume: 73 Issue: 7 Page: 253(5)

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