Effects of a culturally-relevant, age-appropriate education programme for promoting cervical health and human papillomavirus vaccination among Chinese- and non-Chinese-speaking secondary school students: A single-arm pre-test and post-test study.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effects of a culturally-relevant, age-appropriate education programme for promoting cervical health and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination among Chinese- and non-Chinese-speaking secondary school students and to examine its effects on knowledge and health beliefs about diseases, preventive measures and intention towards HPV vaccination.

METHODS

A single-arm pre-test and post-test study design was adopted. A health education programme comprising a health talk and tutorial session was delivered to Chinese- and non-Chinese-speaking female secondary school students in Forms 3-5 (approximate ages: 14-17 years). Knowledge and health beliefs about the diseases and preventive measures and the intention towards HPV vaccination were assessed before and after programme delivery. A satisfaction questionnaire was administered to collect the participants' feedback about the programme.

RESULTS

Fifty-three female students completed the programme and returned the signed consent form, the filled pre- and post-programme questionnaires and signed parental consent forms. More than 80% of the students accurately answered the questions related to cervical cancer and the HPV vaccine. Significant improvement in the perceived benefits of HPV vaccination and the intention to receive HPV vaccination and a significant decrease in the perceived barriers to HPV vaccination were observed after programme attendance ( ​< ​0.001). More than 80% of the participants agreed that the programme content could be easily understood.

CONCLUSIONS

The programme was well accepted by the students and improved their knowledge, health beliefs and intention to receive HPV vaccination. A future larger scale study and assessment of vaccination uptake are needed to confirm the programme's effects.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ChiCTR2100054112.