Pa. Michaud et D. Hausser, SWISS TEENAGERS, AIDS AND SEXUALLY-TRANSMITTED DISEASES - PRESENTATION AND EVALUATION OF A PREVENTIVE EXHIBITION, Health education research, 7(1), 1992, pp. 79-86
As part of a larger school-based health program for Swiss apprentices
and students, an AIDS and sexually transmitted disease (STD) preventio
n exhibition was offered to 7000 boys and girls aged 15-19. Its object
ives were: (1) to reinforce their knowledge of STD and AIDS transmissi
on and prevention, and (2) to modify their attitudes and behavior rega
rding (a) the decision whether, when and how to have sex and (b) the u
se of condoms. The exhibition consisted of six posters, reviewed by sp
ecially-trained teachers and nurses. Condoms were presented in an amus
ing way and were freely available. A case control follow-up survey was
carried out 12 weeks later in two random sample: 798 subjects from an
experimental school and 600 subjects from a control school completed
an anonymous multiple-choice questionnaire. Of the respondents, 69% we
re sexually active, and among this group, 76% of the boys and 59% of t
he girls had used a condom at least once but only 15% used them regula
rly. As regards knowledge, both groups reached high levels (75-97% of
right answers); the group exposed to the exhibition scored higher for
only two items (P < 0.05). Significantly more teenagers in the experim
ental group said they had handled condoms or had condoms with them 'ju
st in case ...'. This evaluation shows that an AIDS and STD prevention
exhibition for teenagers may be both feasible and effective. However,
future intervention programs should include practical interpersonal c
ounseling on topics such as mutual trust, contraception issues, and th
e purchase and use of condoms.