Effect of Web-Based Education on Attitudes and Beliefs About HPV Testing

N/ANot Yet RecruitingNCT07620795

Sakarya University120 enrolled

Overview

Cervical cancer is a highly preventable public health issue that significantly impacts women's quality of life. Although effective screening programs such as Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) testing and Pap-smears are widely available, women's participation in these early detection services often remains limited. The primary barriers to screening attendance include insufficient education, lack of information, negative beliefs, psychosocial or cultural factors, and misconceptions regarding gynecological examinations. To improve screening uptake, health interventions must focus not only on increasing knowledge but also on promoting correct beliefs and positive attitudes toward testing. Web-based health education serves as an effective method to overcome barriers such as cost, transportation difficulties, and geographical limitations, allowing wider access to healthcare guidance. This study aims to evaluate the effects of a specialized web-based educational intervention on women's attitudes and beliefs regarding the HPV test. The research is designed as a randomized controlled trial with a pre-test and post-test design. Participants will be assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group will receive structured health education through a dedicated web platform, while the control group will receive routine standard follow-up. Data will be gathered using a specific attitude and belief scale before and after the application to measure the intervention's impact.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

120

Conditions

Cervical Cancer

Interventions

Web-Based Health EducationBEHAVIORAL

Participants in the intervention group will receive health education through a specially designed web-based platform containing 11 presentations in total (8 PowerPoint presentations, 1 animation video explaining how the HPV test is performed, and 1 researcher-led instructional video demonstrating self-vulvar examination on a model). Participants will also be provided with educational brochures and magnets. For participants who do not view the presentations, weekly reminder text messages will be sent to encourage platform login and module completion.

Eligibility

Sex: FEMALEMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 60 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Having no prior clinical diagnosis of cervical cancer * Being between 18 and 60 years of age * Having active access to the internet * Being literate at a level sufficient to read and understand the questionnaire forms * Being capable of effectively navigating and using a web browser * Being registered as a patient at Sakarya Akyazı No. 3 Family Health Center * Volunteering to participate in the study and providing informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Withdrawing from the study voluntarily at any stage * Failing to watch the mandatory educational videos on the platform * Submitting incomplete or incorrect responses to the data collection tools * Lacking active internet access or proper web browser usage skills Criteria for Study Discontinuation / Drop-out: * Participant's request to withdraw from the study * Failure to respond to or complete the data collection tools * Not using or logging into the web application for more than 2 consecutive weeks during the study period

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Attitudes and Beliefs About HPV Testing Scale (ABHTS) - Personal Barriers Subscale

This subscale consists of 7 items (items 1-7) assessing personal barriers, stigma, and shame related to HPV testing. Scores range from 7 to 49. A higher score indicates a higher level of perceived personal barriers, meaning a less favorable attitude toward HPV testing.

Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks post-intervention

Attitudes and Beliefs About HPV Testing Scale (ABHTS) - Social Norms Subscale

This subscale consists of 4 items (items 8-11) assessing the influence of friends, partners, family, and social media on HPV testing. Scores range from 4 to 28. A higher score indicates higher negative social pressure/barriers, meaning a lower level of favorable attitudes and beliefs

Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks post-intervention

Attitudes and Beliefs About HPV Testing Scale (ABHTS) - Trust Subscale

This subscale consists of 6 items (items 12-17) assessing trust in the healthcare system, accuracy of HPV testing, and medical procedures. Scores range from 6 to 42. A higher score indicates higher levels of perceived benefit, confidence, and trust toward HPV testing.

Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks post-intervention

Attitudes and Beliefs About HPV Testing Scale (ABHTS) - Concerns Subscale

This subscale consists of 3 items (items 18-20) assessing concerns and worries related to the process and outcomes of HPV testing. Scores range from 3 to 21. A higher score indicates higher levels of concerns/negative attitudes toward HPV testing.

Time frame: Baseline and 12 weeks post-intervention

Effect of Web-Based Education on Attitudes and Beliefs About HPV Testing

Overview

Conditions

Interventions

Eligibility

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Central Contacts