Social Media-Based Education on Cancer Screening Awareness in Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial

NCT06939699 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: SBU-SC2025-RCT
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 132
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled study evaluated a social media-based educational program for women who had not previously participated in breast, cervical, or colorectal cancer screening. A total of 132 women aged 30-70 years were assigned to either a social media-based education group or a standard online education group. The social media-based program was structured according to the Social Ecological Model and delivered through closed WhatsApp and Instagram groups. The standard education group received two online educational sessions via Zoom. The study evaluated three primary outcomes: knowledge regarding cancer screenings, attitudes toward cancer screening, and self-reported digital health literacy. These outcomes were measured before the assigned educational program and four weeks after its completion. The study did not measure actual participation in cancer screening.

Conditions

Colorectal Cancer Screening; Breast Cancer Screening; Cervical Cancer Screening; Digital Health Literacy

Keywords

internet based intervention; cancer screening; social media; health literacy; education

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Change in Cancer Screening Knowledge Score

  Cancer screening knowledge was assessed using the 25-item Cancer Screening Knowledge Scale developed in Turkish. Items are answered as correct, incorrect, or "I do not know." Correct responses are scored as 1, and incorrect or "I do not know" responses are scored as 0. The total score ranges from 0 to 25, with higher scores indicating greater knowledge regarding breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screenings.

  Baseline and 4 weeks after completion of the assigned educational program

• Change in Attitudes Toward Cancer Screening

  Attitudes toward cancer screening were assessed using the 24-item Cancer Screening Attitude Scale developed in Turkish. Items are rated on a five-point Likert scale. The total score ranges from 24 to 120, with higher scores indicating a more positive attitude toward cancer screening.

  Baseline and 4 weeks after completion of the assigned educational program

• Change in Digital Health Literacy Level

  Self-reported digital health literacy was assessed using the validated Turkish version of the 18-item Digital Health Literacy Instrument. The instrument includes six dimensions: information searching, evaluating reliability, determining relevance, navigating, adding self-generated content, and protecting privacy. Total and dimension scores are calculated as mean scores ranging from 1 to 4, with higher scores indicating higher self-reported digital health literacy.

  Baseline and 4 weeks after completion of the assigned educational program

Study Arms (2)

Social Media-Based Education Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this group received a Social Ecological Model-based educational program via closed WhatsApp and Instagram groups. During the eight-week program, 53 visual educational posters addressing breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screenings and digital health literacy were shared. After completion of the scheduled poster-sharing period, four short reinforcement videos were also provided. A total of 57 educational materials were delivered.

Behavioral: Social Media-Based Education

Standard Education Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants in this group received two standard online educational sessions via Zoom, delivered one week apart. Each session lasted approximately 45-60 minutes and used a standardized slide presentation. The sessions covered breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screenings, digital health literacy, and the use of digital health services.

Behavioral: Standard Online Education

Interventions

Standard Online Education BEHAVIORAL

Participants received two standardized online educational sessions via Zoom, delivered one week apart. Each session lasted approximately 45-60 minutes. The sessions covered breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screenings, preventive health information, digital health literacy, and the use of digital health services such as e-Nabız and MHRS. Participants were allowed to ask questions during the sessions; however, they did not receive the daily social media posts, repeated digital content, or continuous group interaction provided to the experimental group.

Standard Education Group

Social Media-Based Education BEHAVIORAL

The intervention consisted of a Social Ecological Model-based educational program delivered through closed WhatsApp and Instagram groups. Fifty-three visual educational posters were shared during the eight-week program. The materials addressed breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer epidemiology, risk factors, symptoms, screening methods, healthy lifestyle behaviors, access to screening services, and digital health literacy. After the scheduled poster-sharing period, four approximately one-minute reinforcement videos covering breast cancer, cervical cancer, colorectal cancer, and digital health literacy were shared. The intervention therefore comprised a total of 57 educational materials.

Also known as: Instagram & WhatsApp Infographic Education, WhatsApp and Instagram-Based Cancer Screening Education

Social Media-Based Education Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 30 Years - 70 Years
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Female
• Aged 30-70 years
• Applied to Medipol Mega University Hospital in Istanbul between June and August 2025
• Had not previously undergone breast, cervical, or colorectal cancer screening
• Actively used both WhatsApp and Instagram
• Had access to a digital device and internet connection that enabled participation in the educational program
• Voluntarily agreed to participate and provided written informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Previous diagnosis of any type of cancer
• Previous participation in any breast, cervical, or colorectal cancer screening procedure

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Emine Ergin: lead
• Saglik Bilimleri Universitesi: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Medipol Mega University Hospital

Istanbul, 34214, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Study Officials

• Şerife Çınar, PhD Candidate, Midwife

  Medipol University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate professor

Model Details: Participants were assigned in a 1:1 ratio to two parallel groups: a social media-based education group and a standard online education group.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 15, 2025
• First Posted: April 23, 2025
• Study Start: June 3, 2025
• Primary Completion: December 31, 2025
• Study Completion: December 31, 2025
• Last Updated: July 28, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)