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.