This study compared two educational approaches for increasing breast cancer awareness among female employees of Eskisehir Odunpazari Municipality. Participants were randomly assigned to receive education using artificial intelligence-generated educational material, education using expert-developed educational material, or no educational intervention. Breast cancer awareness was assessed at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and 2 months after the intervention. The study also assessed participants' digital health literacy.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
150
A structured educational material was generated using an artificial intelligence chatbot and presented through Google Forms in a conversational question-and-answer format. The content was written in plain language appropriate for female municipal employees aged 18 years or older and covered breast cancer risk factors, signs and symptoms, preventive attitudes, barriers to screening, awareness-related health behaviors, breast self-examination, and treatment methods. Participants accessed the predefined material through a link or QR code. No real-time or personalized chatbot interaction occurred. Both the artificial intelligence chatbot-generated educational material and the expert-developed educational material were evaluated by a panel of nine independent experts, comprising four general surgery specialists and five public health specialists.
Breast cancer awareness educational material was developed by the researchers. The material covered breast cancer risk factors, signs and symptoms, preventive attitudes, barriers to screening, awareness-related health behaviors, breast self-examination, and treatment methods. It was evaluated by a panel of nine independent experts, comprising four general surgery specialists and five public health specialists.
Eskişehir Odunpazarı Municipality
Odunpazari, Eskişehir, Turkey (Türkiye)
Breast Cancer Awareness Scale Total Score
Overall breast cancer awareness was assessed using the Breast Cancer Awareness Scale, which consists of five subscales. Total scores range from 0 to 102, with higher scores indicating greater overall breast cancer awareness.
Time frame: Baseline, immediately after the intervention, and 2 months after the intervention.
Factor 1:Knowledge of Risk Factors Score
Knowledge of breast cancer risk factors was assessed using the Knowledge of Risk Factors subscale of the Breast Cancer Awareness Scale. Scores range from 0 to 18, with higher scores indicating greater knowledge of breast cancer risk factors.
Time frame: Baseline, immediately after the intervention, and 2 months after the intervention
Factor 2: Knowledge of Signs and Symptoms Score
Knowledge of breast cancer signs and symptoms was assessed using the Knowledge of Signs and Symptoms subscale of the Breast Cancer Awareness Scale. Scores range from 0 to 16, with higher scores indicating greater knowledge of breast cancer signs and symptoms.
Time frame: Baseline, immediately after the intervention, and 2 months after the intervention
Factor 3. Attitudes Toward Breast Cancer Prevention Score
Attitudes toward breast cancer prevention were assessed using the Attitudes Toward Breast Cancer Prevention subscale of the Breast Cancer Awareness Scale. Scores range from 0 to 24, with higher scores indicating more positive attitudes toward breast cancer prevention
Time frame: Baseline, immediately after the intervention, and 2 months after the intervention
Factor 4. Barriers to Breast Cancer Screening Score
Perceived barriers to breast cancer screening were assessed using the Barriers to Breast Cancer Screening subscale of the Breast Cancer Awareness Scale. Scores range from 0 to 16. Items are reverse-scored, with higher scores indicating fewer perceived barriers to breast cancer screening.
Time frame: Baseline, immediately after the intervention, and 2 months after the intervention
Factor 5. Health Behaviors Related to Breast Cancer Awareness Score
Health behaviors related to breast cancer awareness were assessed using the Health Behaviors Related to Breast Cancer Awareness subscale of the Breast Cancer Awareness Scale. Scores range from 0 to 28, with higher scores indicating more positive health behaviors related to breast cancer awareness.
Time frame: Baseline, immediately after the intervention, and 2 months after the intervention
Digital Health Literacy Instrument Total Score
Overall digital health literacy was assessed using the 18-item Turkish version of the Digital Health Literacy Instrument, which consists of six subscales. The total mean score ranges from 1 to 4, with higher scores indicating greater digital health literacy.
Time frame: Baseline
DHLI Search Score
Skills related to searching for online health information were assessed using the DHLI Search subscale. Mean scores range from 1 to 4, with higher scores indicating greater information-searching skills.
Time frame: Baseline
DHLI Content Score
Skills related to adding self-generated content to digital health platforms were assessed using the DHLI Content subscale. Mean scores range from 1 to 4, with higher scores indicating greater content-adding skills.
Time frame: Baseline
DHLI Relevance Score
Skills related to determining the relevance of online health information were assessed using the DHLI Relevance subscale. Mean scores range from 1 to 4, with higher scores indicating greater ability to determine the relevance of online health information.
Time frame: Baseline
DHLI Navigation Score
Skills related to navigating online health information and digital health environments were assessed using the DHLI Navigation subscale. Mean scores range from 1 to 4, with higher scores indicating greater navigation skills.
Time frame: Baseline
DHLI Privacy Score
Skills related to protecting personal privacy when using online health resources were assessed using the DHLI Privacy subscale. Mean scores range from 1 to 4, with higher scores indicating greater ability to protect personal privacy.
Time frame: Baseline
DHLI Reliability Score
Skills related to evaluating the reliability of online health information were assessed using the DHLI Reliability subscale. Mean scores range from 1 to 4, with higher scores indicating greater ability to evaluate the reliability of online health information.
Time frame: Baseline
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