The effect of web-assisted education and reminders on health belief, level of knowledge and early diagnosis behaviors regarding prostate cancer screening.

PURPOSE OF THE RESEARCH

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of web-assisted education and reminders on health belief, level of knowledge and early diagnosis behaviors regarding prostate cancer screening.

METHODS AND SAMPLE

In this pretest-posttest longitudinal study, Turkish men over 40 years of age were given an interactive educational session on prostate cancer and prostate cancer screening, and were then given related web-assisted education and consultation for a period of 6 months. As well as the Internet, reminders such as desk calendar, booklets, e-mails and cell phone messages were used in the study. Changes in the screening behaviors, the health belief and knowledge level of patients were examined 3 and 6 months after the interventions.

KEY RESULTS

During the study, participants' prostate examination rate increased from 9.3% to 19.1% and PSA measurement rate increased from 6.7% to 31.4%. The interventions raised the susceptibility perception on prostate cancer and prostate cancer screening while decreasing the barrier perception (p < 0.05). No change was observed in other health belief components and the level of knowledge.

CONCLUSION

Web-assisted education and reminders provided positive changes in the barrier and susceptibility perceptions of individuals. Participation in the screening also increased.