Knowledge about Zika virus and contraceptive methods: Randomized trial with adolescents in Northeastern Brazil

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of educational interventions on adolescents’ knowledge related to Zika virus and contraception. METHODS: A total of 500 adolescents from public schools in Sergipe participated and were randomly and equally assigned to the control group (CG) and educational workshop group (GOE). In the educational interventions aimed at the GOE, playful methodologies were applied, such as an illustrated album, a memory game of contraceptive methods, and the “Aedes Play” board. A questionnaire was also used to assess the difference in the adolescents’ responses between the groups, before and after the intervention. For data analysis, the Chi-square test, the T-test, the Odds Ratio, and ANOVA were applied. RESULTS: Both groups in the pre-intervention period presented little knowledge about the transmission and prevention routes of Zika virus, and approximately 42% were unaware of the use of contraceptive methods. After the intervention, the GOE presented greater knowledge compared to the CG (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that playful-educational strategies are adequate to expand knowledge related to the prevention of STI transmission, since the group in which the educational workshops were applied presented a higher pattern of correct answers than the Control Group, which in turn demonstrated a higher relative risk of contracting STIs.