Impact of health literacy interventions on breast cancer knowledge and health literacy

Abstract

Background and Objectives: For women, health literacy level is an important factor directly affecting their health protection and development behaviors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of health literacy interventions on breast cancer knowledge and health literacy breast cancer screening beliefs and behaviors. Materials and Methods: This randomized controlled experimental study was conducted with women working in two different municipalities in Istanbul/Turkey. The study was completed with a total of 86 participants, 43 in the training group and 43 in the control group. The participants in the training group were given a comprehensive training program by the researchers in groups of 10-12 people in 3-hour sessions per day for 3 consecutive days. Results: In the first and second measurements after the intervention, it was observed that the training group’s Health Literacy Scale Total Score means increased compared to those of control group (training and control group posttest-1 scores, respectively; 98.395 ± 21.388 vs. 86.372 ± 24.752, p=0.018, increased by 13.95%; training and control group post-test-2 scores, respectively; 112.904 ± 10.178 vs. 87.581 ± 26.531, p<0.001, increased by 28.73%. Also, in the first and second measurements after the intervention, it was observed that the control group’s Breast Cancer Screening Beliefs Scale Total Score means increased compared to those of the control group (training and control group post-test-1 scores, respectively; 77.862 ± 14.767 vs. 58.604 ± 16.001, p<0.001, increased by 32.75%; training and control group post-test-2 scores, respectively; 81.574 ± 12.478 vs. 58.917 ± 15.860, p<0.001, increased by 39.65%. Conclusion: The comprehensive training program given to women, including what breast cancer is, its risk factors, etiology, early screening methods, treatment and breast self-examination, has positively changed their breast cancer screening beliefs, health literacy levels, and beliefs and practices regarding early diagnosis.