Evaluation of a hepatitis B vaccination promotion project for high school students in Montreal

Objective: We developed a hepatitis B vaccination promotion project aimed a t Montreal-area adolescents. A student leaflet, teacher's Ode and classroom poster were developed. Our objectives were to have 25% of teachers give a course on hepatitis B and 25% of students begin vaccination against hepatit is B. Method: The promotional campaign was aimed at 100,000 students in 225 publi c and private secondary schools. The evaluation was carried out six months after the beginning of the campaign. Data were collected through self-admin istered questionnaires to students (n=206), teachers (n=128) and school nur ses (n=30). Results: Two thirds of teachers used the material and 45% gave a course on the subject. The teachers who gave the course felt knowledgeable about teac hing the subject and felt that the subject was important. Six months after the beginning of the campaign, 38% of secondary students had received at le ast one dose of vaccine. Conclusion: The promotional material was appreciated by both students and t eachers and used during secondary school classes. Teachers, when given appr opriate tools and supported by school nurses, are highly motivated to pass on preventive heath messages to their students.