Are New York State Health Teachers and School Nurses Equipped to Teach Sexually Transmitted Disease and Viral Hepatitis to Adolescents?

Background:
Adolescents are at risk for STDs and viral hepatitis (STD/Hep) infection but may lack knowledge of available screening and prevention services. School nurses and health educators were surveyed because they have access to adolescents and can promote screening and/or vaccination for STD/Hep.

Objective:
To measure the educational needs and training preferences of college, high school, and middle school nurses and health teachers in relation to STD/Hep.

Method:
A 17-item survey was mailed to health teachers and school nurses at 3,184 schools across New York State (excluding New York City). Survey responses were entered into MS Access database and analyzed using SAS v9.1

Result:
Survey response rate was 30.8% (981) with 78% from middle and high schools and 60% from school nurses. Overall, 25% had no STD/Hep educational materials for their students. The internet was the most frequently cited source of STD/Hep information (47%) but nearly 40% were unaware of the state health department STD/Hep webpages. Over 40% stated they were not trained and 17% were uncomfortable teaching STD/Hep. Seventy percent wanted STD/Hep training with highest ranked topics: adolescent risk behaviors (78%), consequences of untreated STDs (74%) , and minor's rights in NYS (72%)

Conclusion:
School professionals are interested in STD/Hep training but survey data identified barriers to providing STD/Hep education and information to students.

Implications:
School nurses and health educators have a unique opportunity to impact adolescents and improve their understanding of and access to health care. Providing training on STD/Hep to educators could ultimately help to reduce disease burden in adolescents.