Background: Primary prevention methods against cervical
dysplasia/cancer are condom use and vaccination. The aim of this intervention was to improve
high school students’ knowledge and attitudes about cervical dysplasia/cancer and its primary
prevention methods. The intervention was based on the Health Belief Model. Methods:
Quasi-experimental design. A questionnaire was completed before and after the intervention by
an intervention group (n=92) and two comparison groups (n=182). The intervention consisted of
an informative web site, give-away condoms, a folder, and a one-hour lesson on school hours
focusing on discussions about perceived barriers and perceived benefits of the primary
prevention methods. Findings: At baseline, the median knowledge score was one out of ten
possible correct answers in all groups but at follow-up, the median knowledge score had
increased to 6 out of ten in the intervention group while it was unaffected in the comparison
groups (p<0,001). The findings did not indicate any change in attitudes (p>0,05).
Discussion: An effect on knowledge was achieved but to see an effect on attitude and most
likely also behaviour change a more comprehensive intervention is needed.
