Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

A National Survey of Superintendents' Perceptions of Condom Availability in High Schools

Maziarz, Lauren N.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1416224534

Abstract Details

2014, Doctor of Philosophy, University of Toledo, Health Education.
The United States continues to have one of the highest rates of teenage pregnancy among similar, industrialized nations. One postulated reason for the continued increase is a lack of education on proper condom use and/or a lack of access to condoms. Secondary schools are in a unique position to allow condom availability programs, thus increasing access to condoms in the teenage population. Due to the controversial nature of making condoms available in public schools, superintendents and other policy makers may be hesitant to enact such a program due to perceived backlash from parents and the community as a whole. Thus, the purpose of this research study was to examine superintendents' perceptions of condom availability in district high schools. Surveys were mailed to a stratified random sample of superintendents (n=772) across the US with a final survey response rate of 40.4% (n=297). The majority of responders were male (69%), Caucasian (89%), 50 years of age or older (67%), had a degree other than a Doctorate, and had one to five years of experience. Most identified as politically independent (34%), socially moderate (54%), and non-denominational Christian (33%). Respondents came from districts that were located in the Midwest (27%), deemed medium in size (36%), and located in a town (31%). The most commonly reported moderate or major barriers to condom availability in schools were community opposition (88%), lack of parental support (86%), undesirable media attention (81%), and lack of school board support (81%). The most commonly reported moderate or major benefits to making condoms available were potential decreased teen pregnancy rates in the district (55%), decreased STD rates in the district (53%), and increased health of students (51%). Both barriers and benefits differed significantly by superintendent and district demographics. Barriers differed by the following: geographic location, political affiliation, political orientation, and race/ethnicity of the superintendent. Benefits differed by the following: size of the district, political orientation, and perceived school support for prevention of HIV/AIDS, STDS, and teen pregnancy. In terms of condom beliefs, negative beliefs predicted 24% of the variance in perceived barriers while both positive and negative beliefs predicted 16% of the variance in perceived benefits. Notably, respondents who opposed condom availability perceived STDs and HIV/AIDS to be less significant problems than those who did not oppose condom availability. Superintendents who perceived the school to play less of a significant role in prevention opposed condom availability more so than those who perceived the school to play a larger role in prevention. These results show the need for more education and awareness as it relates to superintendents' perceptions of condom availability. Since positive and negative condom beliefs were found to be significant predictors of both benefits and barriers, addressing these beliefs may prove to be beneficial in addressing overall barriers and benefits. Furthermore, health professionals should make efforts to educate superintendents on the school's role in prevention of disease and teen pregnancy as well as provide data regarding the prevalence and incidence of STDs, HIV/AIDS, and teen pregnancy.
Joseph Dake, PhD (Committee Chair)
Susan Telljohann, HSD (Committee Member)
Tavis Glassman, PhD (Committee Member)
Cynthia Beekley, EdD (Committee Member)
156 p.
Health Education; Public Health; Public Health Education
condom availability; teenage pregnancy; perceptions of superintendents; condom perceptions; condom beliefs

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Maziarz, L. N. (2014). A National Survey of Superintendents' Perceptions of Condom Availability in High Schools [Doctoral dissertation, University of Toledo]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1416224534

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Maziarz, Lauren. A National Survey of Superintendents' Perceptions of Condom Availability in High Schools. 2014. University of Toledo, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1416224534.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Maziarz, Lauren. "A National Survey of Superintendents' Perceptions of Condom Availability in High Schools." Doctoral dissertation, University of Toledo, 2014. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1416224534

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

toledo1416224534
1,143
© 2014, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Toledo and OhioLINK.