KEYWORD1:
Hepatitis B, Adolescent Immunization, Peer Health Education, Promoting Immunizations, High Schools, Chicago Public Schools, Overcoming Barriers to Undervaccination, Cultural Competency in Vaccination Delivery

BACKGROUND:
Founded in 1997, the Hepatitis Education and Prevention Program (HEPP) seeks to improve hepatitis B immunization and education for immigrant communities. During the 2001-2002 academic year, HEPP piloted hepatitis B peer education programs at four Chicago Public high schools.

OBJECTIVE:
HEPP’s main objectives were to measure whether peer educators could effectively improve their classmates’ knowledge about hepatitis B, and to determine whether such improvement would translate into higher hepatitis B immunization rates.

METHOD:
HEPP recruited students to serve as peer educators during lunch periods; via its status as a credit-granting program; and by partnering with other public health clubs. Peer outreach media included hallway posters; information tables; intercom broadcasts; and contests for students who received shots. Educators also narrated standardized overhead presentations, during which they administered eight-item pre- and post-tests. Students who approached their information tables were given pre-tests only. Students received immunizations either through appointments with the school clinic anytime during the semester, or at HEPP’s one-time immunization drive.

RESULT:
71 educators were trained at four schools. 22 educators narrated presentations to 198 students at 14 events: two academic classes, five homerooms, and seven after-school activities. Pre-test answers to individual questions ranged from 49.5% to 82.4% correct; post-test answers ranged from 88.0% to 96.7% correct. 553 students received brief hepatitis B education by visiting information tables, at which they completed pre-tests only. Despite these results, immunization rates were comparable to five high schools where HEPP held immunization drives with no peer education.

CONCLUSION:
Peer education can dramatically improve teenagers’ understanding about hepatitis B, but easier logistical access to immunizations is necessary to yield higher immunization rates.
LEARNINGOBJECTIVES:
To understand challenges and successes in launching high school peer education programs.