The effect of peer education on high school students' knowledge levels regarding Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection and vaccination.

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to explore the impact of the peer education model on adolescents' knowledge levels regarding Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection and HPV vaccination.

Design and methods: The study was conducted quasi-experimentally in a pretest-posttest single-group design. The study sample consisted of 913 students enrolled in 9th, 10th, and 11th grades. The data of the study were collected between April and May 2023. Data were collected using the Demographic Information Form and the Human Papillomavirus Knowledge Scale (HPV-KS).

Results: It was determined that 8.8 % of the students had previously received information about HPV, of which 50 % had received this information through the media, and only 0.3 % of them had received the HPV vaccine. Before peer education, the mean HPV-KS score among students was 1.14 ± 3.54, while after peer education, the mean score increased to 23.78 ± 8.32, and this difference was found to be statistically significant (p < 0.005). Thus, it has been observed that the peer education model effectively enhances the knowledge level regarding HPV and the HPV vaccine among high school students.

Conclusions: The use of this model will help young people take healthy steps regarding risky sexual health. Moreover, it is recommended that nurses utilize the peer education model to promote healthy lifestyle behaviors and enhance knowledge on various health-related topics among adolescents, who constitute a significant at-risk group.

Practice implications: It is recommended that nurses utilize the peer education model to promote healthy lifestyle behaviors and enhance knowledge on various health-related topics among adolescents, who constitute a significant at-risk group.