여대생의 자궁경부암 예방행위 증진을 위한 또래교육 프로그램의 효과

Abstract

Background and Purpose: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a critical causal factor in the development of cervical cancer. While HPV infection remains prevalent across all ages, the prevalence of HPV infection peaks among young adults in their 20s. Therefore, preventive behaviors of cervical cancer is essential for young adults. The purposes of this study were to develop and to evaluate a peer educational program to promote cervical cancer prevention behaviors among female college students. Methods: Based on a Health Belief Model (Rosenstock, Strecher, & Becker, 1988, 1994), a quasi experimental with non-equivalent control group pretest- posttest design was conducted. Participants were female college students in nursing major recruited from two colleges in G metropolitan city in Korea. The sample consisted of an intervention group (n=28) that participated in the peer educational program and a control group (n=30). Two peer-led workshops were conducted with one week interval. Knowledge, attitude, self-efficacy, and intention to cervical cancer prevention behaviors were measured using self-administered questionnaires at two time points: prior to intervention and after intervention. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, x2-test, Fisher's exact probability, and t-test. Results: Participants of this study reported poor knowledge of cervical cancer and preventive behaviors. Moreover, their perceived susceptibility of HPV infection and cervical cancer was low. Compared to control group, the experimental group who participated in peer educational program reported significantly different scores in knowledge (t=4.32, p〈.001), attitude (t=4.01, p〈.001), self-efficacy (t=4.24, p〈.001) and intention to cervical cancer prevention behaviors (t=7.06, p〈.001). Conclusions: Results of this study identified that a peer educational program to promote cervical cancer prevention behaviors among female college students were effective. However, further study should be necessary with larger and more heterogeneous groups to confirm the effectiveness of the peer educational program. Moreover, the effects of this educational program should be compared with those of traditional learning methods to confirm the effects of a peer educational program.

Key words: Uterine cervical cancer, Prevention, Health behavior, Intervention studies