Online Sexual Health Education with Rural Independent Study Charter School Students

Background: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unwanted pregnancies continue to be public health problems in the United States. Each year there are about 20 million new STIs in the United States with about half of the infections occurring in people 15 to 24 years old (The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2016). Objectives: The purpose of this descriptive pre- and post-test study was to determine if an online STI prevention program increased knowledge about STIs, STI related resources, and lowered STI risk-taking behaviors in rural northern California students attending an alternative high school. Methodology: “Positive Prevention PLUS” curriculum and pre- and post-test survey tools were provided via an online platform by a credentialed school nurse. The survey tools measured STI knowledge, STI resources, and STI risk-taking behaviors. Survey tools were completed by 17 high school students before and at the one-month follow-up after “Positive Prevention PLUS” training. Results: Students who completed the curriculum significantly increased STI knowledge and knowledge of STI resources. However, there was no significant change in students’ self-reported STI risk-taking behaviors at the one-month follow-up. Conclusion: The “Positive Prevention PLUS” online program demonstrated positive impacts on knowledge of STIs and STI resources in a group of rural northern California students enrolled in an alternative independent charter high school setting