Cervical Cancer, Human Papillomavirus Infection, Preventive Health Services
Conditions
Keywords
Health Belief Model, HPV Vaccination, Cervical Cancer Screening, Health Education, Primary Health Care, Women's Health
Brief summary
This study evaluated the effect of a Health Belief Model-based educational intervention on women's knowledge of cervical cancer and their attitudes and beliefs toward HPV vaccination. The study was conducted among women aged 18-49 years attending a primary health care center in Van, Türkiye. Participants were assigned to intervention and control groups. The intervention group received a structured, face-to-face educational program, while the control group received routine care. Data were collected using validated questionnaires before and after the intervention. The findings contributed to a better understanding of strategies to improve preventive health behaviors and increase HPV vaccination awareness among women.
Detailed description
This study was a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest controlled intervention designed to evaluate the effectiveness of a Health Belief Model (HBM)-based educational program on women's cervical cancer knowledge and HPV vaccination attitudes in a primary care setting. The study was conducted at the Tusba Training Family Health Center in Van, Türkiye, between March 2026 and May 2026. The study population consisted of women aged 18-49 years attending the Tusba Training Family Health Center. Women who met the inclusion criteria and provided written informed consent were enrolled in the study. A total of 154 participants were assigned to the intervention (n = 77) and control (n = 77) groups using a systematic allocation approach based on the order of admission. Baseline data were collected using a Participant Information Form, the Cervical Cancer Knowledge Scale, and the Carolina HPV Immunization Attitudes and Beliefs Scale (CHIAS). The intervention group received a structured educational program based on the Health Belief Model. The program consisted of two face-to-face sessions lasting approximately 30-40 minutes each. The educational content included information on cervical cancer, risk factors, screening methods, HPV infection, HPV vaccination, and common misconceptions. The program was structured around the key constructs of the Health Belief Model, including perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, and perceived barriers. The control group received routine primary health care services without any additional structured educational intervention. Post-intervention data were collected approximately 15 days after completion of the educational program using the same measurement instruments. The data were analyzed using appropriate statistical methods, including descriptive statistics and comparative tests for within-group and between-group differences. Statistical significance was set at p \< 0.05. The study did not involve any invasive procedures, biological sample collection, or pharmaceutical interventions. All study procedures were conducted in accordance with ethical principles, and participant confidentiality was maintained throughout the study.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALHealth Belief Model-Based Education
A structured face-to-face educational program based on the Health Belief Model consisting of two sessions (30-40 minutes each) covering cervical cancer, HPV infection, cervical cancer screening, HPV vaccination, common misconceptions, and the key Health Belief Model constructs, including perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, and perceived barriers.
Sponsors
Muhammet Faruk Yigit
Study design
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to 49 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Women aged 18-49 years * Applied to a Family Health Center * Parents of adolescent girls (aged 10-18 years) * Able to read and write Turkish * Voluntarily agreed to participate in the study * Provided written informed consent
Exclusion criteria
* Previous HPV vaccination * Diagnosis of cervical cancer * Cognitive or psychiatric disorders that interfered with communication
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Cervical Cancer Knowledge Score | Baseline and 15 days post-intervention | Change in participants' knowledge of cervical cancer was assessed using the Cervical Cancer Knowledge Scale. The scale consists of 20 items, with total scores ranging from 0 to 20, where higher scores indicate greater knowledge about cervical cancer. Measurements were conducted before the educational intervention and 15 days after the intervention. |
| Change in HPV Vaccination Attitudes and Beliefs Score | Baseline and 15 days post-intervention | Change in participants' attitudes and beliefs toward HPV vaccination was assessed using the Carolina HPV Immunization Attitudes and Beliefs Scale (CHIAS). The scale consists of 16 items rated on a 4-point Likert scale, with total scores ranging from 16 to 64, where higher scores indicate more negative attitudes and beliefs toward HPV vaccination. Measurements were conducted before the intervention and 15 days after the intervention. |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Outcome results
None listed