[Evaluation of a program to promote hepatitis B vaccination among adolescents in a school environment of Central Montreal].
OBJECTIVE: We developed a hepatitis B vaccination promotion project aimed at Montreal-area adolescents. A student leaflet, teacher's guide and classroom poster were developed. Our objectives were to have 25% of teachers give a course on hepatitis B and 25% of students begin vaccination against hepatitis B. METHOD: The promotional campaign was aimed at 100,000 students in 225 public and private secondary schools. The evaluation was carried out six months after the beginning of the campaign. Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires to students (n = 206), teachers (n = 128) and school nurses (n = 30). RESULTS: Two thirds of teachers used the material and 45% gave a course on the subject. The teachers who gave the course felt knowledgeable about teaching the subject and felt that the subject was important. Six months after the beginning of the campaign, 38% of secondary students had received at least one dose of vaccine. CONCLUSION: The promotional material was appreciated by both students and teachers and used during secondary school classes. Teachers, when given appropriate tools and supported by school nurses, are highly motivated to pass on preventive heath messages to their students.