Implementation of Education and Instagram for Reducing Sexually Transmitted Infections in Adolescents in a Rural Midwest High School
Loading...
Authors
Van Surksum, Erica
Issue Date
2023-05-13
Volume
Issue
Type
Manuscript
Language
Keywords
STIS , Adolescents , Rural , Prevention , Education
Alternative Title
Abstract
Abstract
Nature and Scope of the Project: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a national concern, especially among adolescents. Adolescents and young adults account for half of the twenty-six million new cases of STIs each year (CDC, 2021; Shannon & Klausner, 2018). Literature suggests this is due to increased likelihood of risky behaviors, such as unprotected sex and multiple sex partners (Shannon & Klausner, 2018). The purpose of this quality improvement project is to improve adolescent knowledge and preventative STI behaviors through multi-modal in-class and social media education in a rural Iowa high school over a 10-week period. Objectives of the project include:
1. Measure self-reported baseline sexual health knowledge and behaviors among high school adolescents pre-intervention.
2. Deliver STI prevention education to high school adolescents through a multimodal in-class lecture and social media content focused on prevention, identification, and long-term complications of STIs.
3. Identify 4-week in-class lecture attendance and frequency of Instagram site access over a 10-week period.
4. Evaluate change in high school adolescents’ self-reported sexual health knowledge and behaviors and their intention to incorporate knowledge gained into their daily life and behaviors post-intervention.
Synthesis and Analysis of Supporting Literature: Literature supports the need for STI education to improve sexual health attitudes, knowledge, and behavior among adolescents. Incorporating nurses in STI education is one evidence-based strategy in reducing risky sexual behavior, and ultimately preventing STIs (Borawski et al., 2015). Utilizing technology, such as Instagram, is a meaningful tool to provide adolescents with reliable and confidential STI information (Widman et al., 2018; Yager & O’Keefe, 2012).
Evaluation Criteria: Students’ sexual knowledge and behaviors will be assessed pre- and 6-weeks post-intervention using an adapted anonymous electronic survey. Survey questions are a combination of self-developed and adapted questions from the Survey of Current Knowledge on Sexual Diseases and Sexual Behavior (Drago et al., 2016). Paired t-tests will be performed to assess any improvements in students’ sexual knowledge and/or risky behavior after participating in the intervention.
Outcomes and Recommendations: Outcomes and recommendations are discussed in detail in the final project submission.
Description
Citation
Publisher
Creighton University
License
Copyright is retained by the Author. A non-exclusive distribution right is granted to Creighton University.