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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2021 Nov 13;18(1):228.
doi: 10.1186/s12978-021-01281-x.

A blended educational intervention program on Pap-test related behavior among Iranian women

Shahnaz Ghalavandi  1 , Fatemeh Zarei  2 , Alireza Heidarnia  1 , Reza Beiranvand  3
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

A blended educational intervention program on Pap-test related behavior among Iranian women

Shahnaz Ghalavandi et al. Reprod Health. .

Abstract

Objective: To assess the effect of a blended educational program to promote performing the PST among Iranian women.

Design: In a randomized control trial four main variables; knowledge, attitude, self-efficacy, and practice about PST was evaluated using a man-made questionnaire for PST.

Setting: Women aged 18-49 living in Andimeshk (Khuzestan, Iran), covered by 16 health centers, participated in study from November 2019 till April 2019.

Method: The educational intervention conducted to increasing women's performing the PST. The experimental group received an intervention, whereas the control group received usual care. Participants were tested at four-time points: pre-test (baseline), post-test 1 (immediately after the program's completion) post-test 2 (4 weeks after the program's completion) and post-test 3 (12 weeks after the program completion).

Results: A total of 84 women with average aged 32.27 (42 in the experimental group, 42 in the control group) were recruited from 16 health centers in Andimeshk, southern Iran. Significant group differences were found at different times in knowledge, attitude, self-efficacy, and practice about PST.

Conclusion: A blended method was effective in sustaining the effects of the educational program in the experimental group. The development of appropriate teaching method on restricted situation such as COVID-19 pandemic to promote participation is suggested.

Keywords: Behavior; Health Education; Pap-test.

Plain language summary

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women. The Pap-test is considered the most economical and efficient method for screening cervical cancer and is a simple method without any side effects. Given that awareness with proper methods regarding the initial symptoms, timely diagnosis and treatment are vital for controlling cancer.In this study, we assessed the effect of a blended educational program to promote performing Pap-test among 84 Iranian women. Therefore, a study to assess four main variables; knowledge, attitude, self-efficacy, and practice about PST was designed. We asked women aged 18–49 living in Andimeshk (Khuzestan, Iran) covered by 16 health centers. The educational program to increase women’s performance in the PST using online technology regarding participants' convenience, accessibility, and availability of educational content. Women were divided into two groups. One group received an educational program, the second group remained in control and did not receive any education. All women were asked for their knowledge, attitude, self-efficacy and practice of PST three times immediately, 4 and 12 weeks after one-month training.Our assessment showed significant group differences at different times in knowledge, attitude, self-efficacy, and practice about PST.In conclusion, effective online education in sustaining the effects of the educational program in the experimental group happened. Moreover, we experienced an appropriate teaching method for restricted situations such as the COVID-19 pandemic to promote educational participation.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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