Implementation of a Cancer Education Program in Rural Counties with the Lowest HPV Vaccination Rates and Health Rankings

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI). To address STIs, one rural county public school district developed a series of Family Life Programs to educate pre-teens about pertinent health information. The Schooling Cancer Program (SCP) was developed in partnership with the local Cancer Research and Resource Center to raise awareness about cancer risk factors including HPV-related cancers and HPV prevention methods.Methods: We collected a post-evaluation survey from students who attended a SCP session at one of the targeted middle schools. The SCP educated students about topics focusing on healthy lifestyles. The survey asked students' knowledge on the SCP topics, HPV knowledge, tobacco usage, and factors that reduced cancer development.Results: 87% agreed that tobacco products are associated with cancer, and 81% did not agree that E-cigarettes are scientifically proven to be safer than cigarettes. Although we do not have pre-evaluation data about these students' HPV knowledge, our evaluation survey shows that 80% of students correctly identified HPV as the most common STI, and 84% of students correctly identified the factors that decrease their risk of developing cancer.Conclusion: Through this initiative, students learned essential health concepts and HPV-related risk factors.