Evaluation of a sexual education intervention among Swedish high school students

To evaluate an intervention aimed at improving knowledge of, attitudes to, and practices regarding condoms and emergency contraception (ECP) among Swedish high school students.

An intervention study with quasi-experimental design. A strategic sample of classes from two vocational high school programs was divided into an intervention group and a comparison group. All students completed questionnaires before and after the intervention, which included sexual education lessons by a nurse-midwife and medical students, free condoms on request and access to telephone counseling.

Of the 461 eligible students, mean age 17 years, 390 (85%) completed the pre-test and 326 (71%) the post-test. Three out of four (77%) had experienced sexual intercourse. The majority (76%) had used contraception, mostly condoms at first intercourse. The students already had good knowledge of condoms with no change after the intervention, but attitudes improved and condom use increased. Knowledge of, and attitudes towards ECP improved but use remained stable (29%). The most important source of information about ECP changed from "friends" to "school" after the intervention. More than one out of four (28%) had opted for free condoms but only 3% had requested telephone counseling.

Condom use increased after the intervention whereas the use of ECP remained stable. Knowledge of ECP improved and the attitudes towards both condoms and ECP became more positive. Participation of nurse-midwives and medical students, skill rehearsal, and improved access to condoms may be useful elements in sexual education.