The Effect of Multiple Interventions for Women at Risk for Cervical Cancer on Their Health Responsibility, Beliefs Regarding Cervical Cancer, and Having Screening: A Randomized Controlled Study Protocol

Abstract

Objective: This randomized study aimed to examine the effect of multiple initiations, including education, home visits, or phone call reminders, on the beliefs about cervical cancer, health responsibility, and screening participation of women aged between 40 and 55 who were at risk for cervical cancer. Methodology: This pretest-posttest, randomized, and controlled experimental study was conducted with women aged between 40 and 55 who had not had a Pap smear test. The study had an experimental and control group comprising 134 women (67 women in the experimental group and 67 in the control group). Participants had at least one of the most frequent risk factors in Turkey directly associated with cervical cancer. The experimental and control groups were randomly assigned. Interventions for the experimental group included group education, home visits, phone call reminders and were completed within 14 weeks. Women having Pap smear testing was the primary output. The data were collected and then coded into a computer by an assistant researcher who did not know which group the participants were in. A statistician conducted the statistical analysis of the coded data. All analysis were performed in SPSS 20. Conclusion: This study provides an example and evidence for future studies to increase participation in cervical cancer screening for women at risk of cervical cancer.