The effect of video interventions on improving knowledge and treatment compliance in the sexually transmitted disease clinic setting. Lesson for HIV health education.

Eight intervention studies investigating patient education and treatment adherence in the sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic setting are reviewed. Across the eight studies selected for analysis, meta-analytic procedures were applied to compare the impact of educational and prevention approaches. The effect of video was compared with that of other modes of health education on: 1) knowledge and attitudes about STDs and condoms and 2) treatment compliance, as measured by return for test of cure, drug compliance, premature resumption of sexual activity, and condom coupon redemption rates. The largest effects were those for video on knowledge and attitudes about STDs and condoms, followed by the effects of other non-video interventions on STD knowledge. Lower effects were found among video and non-video interventions targeting treatment compliance outcomes. These results are consistent with prior prevention studies that have demonstrated difficulty in achieving behavior change.