Introduction

One in five U.S. residents will contract hepatitis A, B and/or C. Compared to older adults, teens and young adults are at increased risk. Baseline levels of hepatitis knowledge, attitudes, behaviors and intentions among teens have not been documented nor have evaluations of teen hepatitis prevention interventions. In October 2002, the American Social Health Association (ASHA) was awarded continuing funds by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Division of Viral Hepatitis to test, disseminate, and evaluate educational materials, messages, and training programs concerning the prevention and control of viral hepatitis. This effort, the third year of a three-year cooperative agreement, was designed to investigate teen perceptions about viral hepatitis. Therefore, an online educational intervention and evaluation were launched to measure baseline knowledge, attitude and behavioral intention levels and to educate teens about risk factors and prevention strategies.

Objectives

Through this study, ASHA intended to measure:

1. Levels of knowledge teens have regarding hepatitis;
2. Teen attitudes about hepatitis
3. Behavioral risk factors for viral hepatitis
4. Increases in knowledge level following a brief, online intervention
5. The degree to which demographics, levels of knowledge or attitudes predict risk or prevention behaviors
6. The educational needs of teens regarding viral hepatitis.

Activities

• Conducted comprehensive literature review
• Designed and pilot-tested online survey with input from teens and experts
• Revised methods and questions, field tested and launched online survey
• Collected baseline measures of teen knowledge, attitudes, behaviors and intentions
• Measured success of brief intervention to increase teen?s knowledge about viral hepatitis.

Outcomes

As a result of this study, products were developed, presentations delivered, and information is in the process of being disseminated. First, the viral hepatitis information was updated on both the ASHA website and www.iwannaknow.org. Also, a teen quiz and fact sheet were developed as a result of the success of the brief, online intervention. Click here to download this educational tool, free of charge: http://www.iwannaknow.org/faqs/hepquiz.pdf.

Second, data from this study have been presented at several conferences. Several more abstracts are currently under review, and a manuscript is in preparation.

Contact Information

This project is completed. If you would like to let us know how this research or any of the associated resources have been used in your work, please contact us at P&RFeedback@ashastd.org.