Learning about pap smears: an educational skit for Hispanic adolescents

J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol. 2002 Aug;15(4):197-204. doi: 10.1016/s1083-3188(02)00155-9.

Abstract

Purpose: To assess the efficacy of an educational skit on improving knowledge and decision making/behavior toward obtaining a Pap smear.

Methods: Ninety-two Hispanic high school female volunteers participated in an intervention, single-sample, preintervention/postintervention survey. Data were collected prior to (T(0)), immediately after (T(1)), and seven weeks after (T(2)) the intervention. The intervention was a live, 15-minute, English-language skit.

Results: Fifty percent reported sexual intercourse. Viewing the skit was associated with 29% of those who needed a Pap smear done, actually scheduling or having a Pap smear done between T(0) and T(2). However, a causal relationship was not proven (P = 0.09). Knowledge was greater at T(1) and T(2) compared to T(0) (P < 0.00001). However, there was a decrease in knowledge at T(2) compared to T(1). More subjects agreed that females their age were at risk for cancer at T(2) compared to T(0) (P = 0.0001).

Conclusions: There was an improvement in and retention of knowledge about Pap smears after viewing this educational skit. This study sets the stage for evaluating this educational skit on a larger sample with a comparison group.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Decision Making
  • Female
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Hispanic or Latino*
  • Humans
  • Papanicolaou Test*
  • Role Playing*
  • Teaching / methods*
  • Vaginal Smears*