Abstract
Purpose: This quality improvement project introduced an effective sexually transmitted disease (STD) educational program, increased the knowledge of high school health, educational, and administrative personnel related to the incidence and prevalence of STDs within the adolescent population, increased competencies of educators responsible for teaching the program, and implemented a sustainable program and protocol to provide STD teaching and support to adolescents in a rural mid-western parochial high school.|Design: An instructional program was adopted that emphasized the seven most prevalent STDs and included information on symptoms, prevention, and treatment. Participating Juniors and Seniors took a pre and post instructional 27 question validated STD-KQ survey.|Findings: The increase in student’s knowledge of STDs was statistically significant with a n:29 and a P = < .001. Average score on pre-test was 8.86 correct answers. First post-test average score was 19.58 and second post-test 15.29.|Implications for Practice: A school STD educational program is an effective method to increase high school student’s knowledge about STDs. It’s crucial to obtain administrative, teacher and parental buy in and support. Maintaining sensitivity to cultural beliefs and norms of school population is essential. Building relationships and trust amongst stake holders may take an extended period of time.