Description

The STI Education Efficacy Survey (SEES) is an instrument designed to evaluate the effectiveness of educational programs concerning sexually transmitted infections (STIs). It focuses on the extent to which educational interventions improve knowledge, modify attitudes, and promote healthier behaviors related to STI prevention and sexual health.

The scale can be used to systematically assess health education and prevention initiatives and to determine whether an intervention achieves its intended educational and behavioral outcomes.

Main Dimensions

The SEES examines three main areas.

The first dimension concerns knowledge about STIs, including participants’ understanding of causes, symptoms, and prevention methods.

The second dimension focuses on changes in attitudes, such as attitudes toward condom use, communication about sexual health, and perceptions of sexual risk-taking.

The third dimension addresses behavioral change, particularly the extent to which acquired knowledge is translated into preventive practices, such as condom use and preventive health screening.

Purpose

The primary purpose of the SEES is to assess the impact of STI-related educational programs on participants’ knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. The findings may help identify the strengths and weaknesses of an intervention and support the improvement of future educational and prevention strategies.

Data Analysis

Analysis of SEES data includes the assessment of participants’ understanding and knowledge of STIs, their attitudes toward prevention, and their sexual health-related behaviors. The results can be used to evaluate the overall effectiveness of educational programs and to develop strategies for improving future interventions.

Scoring

According to the source material, the SEES is typically scored using a 5-point Likert scale, with participants rating their knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors from 1 = “Very low” to 5 = “Very high.”

The overall score may be calculated either by summing the individual item scores or by calculating their mean. Higher scores indicate better understanding and greater application of knowledge related to STI prevention.

Applications

The SEES may be applied in health education, school and university programs, community-based prevention initiatives, and public health interventions. It may also be useful in research evaluating the effectiveness of educational programs before and after implementation.

Its use can help determine whether an intervention goes beyond simply providing information and contributes to meaningful changes in attitudes and preventive behaviors.

References

Keller, P. A., & Siegel, D. M. (2011). Evaluating the effectiveness of STI prevention programs: A comprehensive review. Health Education Research, 26(5), 788–800.

Morrison, D. M., & Warren, M. T. (2002). Sexual health education and its impact on knowledge and behavior. Journal of Sex Education and Therapy, 27(2), 112–124.

Kamb, M. L., Fishbein, M., Douglas, J. M., & Johnson, H. (1998). Efficacy of HIV prevention programs: A systematic review. Journal of the American Medical Association, 280(6), 555–560.

Hochbaum, G. M., & Rosenstock, I. M. (1952). Public Health Education: A Review of the Literature. U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare.