Teaching about hepatitis C: a national survey of secondary school teachers

Abstract

Issue addressed: Hepatitis C is a significant public health problem in Australia and it is essential that information about the virus and associated risks is provided to the community. A potential key target audience is secondary school students. If issues related to hepatitis C are to be taught in secondary schools, teachers need to be well informed and have the necessary resources. Methods: A survey research design was used to provide descriptive data on teachers' hepatitis C knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviours via a self completion mail questionnaire. Health education and sex education teachers in all States and Territories were recruited. Results: These teachers reported that there was little being taught about hepatitis C in their schools and few of the teachers surveyed taught about this topic. Teachers were reasonably well informed, although there was evidence of conflating HIV and hepatitis C issues, and they believed that it was important for schools to include hepatitis C in the curriculum. Teachers reported that there were few opportunities for professional development and few appropriate curriculum resources to assist in teaching about hepatitis C. Barriers to including this issue in the curriculum were perceived to be structural. Conclusions: Among this sample of teachers there is recognition of public health concerns about hepatitis C and the need for prevention education for young people. There is also a willingness on their part to support the inclusion of hepatitis C in the curriculum. So what?: Mechanisms need to be put in place in schools to assist teachers in teaching about hepatitis C. These include providing appropriate professional development and curriculum resources, as well as giving consideration to the most appropriate place in the curriculum for hepatitis C prevention education. (author abstract)