Health promotion in the “Cancer Early Diagnosis, Screening and Education Centers” in Ankara: Mixed methods research among women
Abstract
Objective: Prevention remains the most cost-effective long term strategy for cancer control. This study assessed health services delivered by the “Cancer Early Diagnosis, Screening and Education Centers” (CEDSECs), with a special focus on health promotion.
Methods: The study group included 332 women, aged 30-70 years, who had attended any of the three centers in Ankara and had volunteered to participate in the study with a follow-up. A mixed methods design (before and after surveys, medical records and focus groups) was used for data collection. Descriptive statistics, the chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test, McNemar’s chi-square test, Bowker’s test for symmetry and the paired samples t test were used for quantitative data analysis, whereas, manifest content analysis was used for qualitative data.
Results: Of the participants surveyed after they had used the services of the centers (n=319), 97.5% were satisfied with the centers’ services. After service delivery, participants’ knowledge on cancer preventive measures was significantly higher (p<0.001). Despite an increase in knowledge, educational activities in the centers were not associated with any improvement in health behaviors (p>0.05), except for an increase in breast self-examination (p<0.001).
Conclusion: Most women were satisfied with the CEDSEC services and did not encounter problems with cancer screening; however current services seem only to increase cancer awareness without any significant effect on health behaviors. Within the scope of health promotion services, a multidimensional approach is needed including evidence-based educational and behavioral interventions with follow-ups.
Keywords
Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Health Care Administration
Journal Section
Research Article
Publication Date
December 26, 2013
Submission Date
December 12, 2015
Acceptance Date
-
Published in Issue
Year 2013 Volume: 11 Number: 3