The effect of web-based education on Pap smear behaviours of teachers

Abstract

Objective: Web-based education would be useful for gaining health-related behaviours. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of web-based education on Pap smear behaviours of teachers. Methods: The study was an experimental–control groups with a longitudinal type. The sample consisted of 1,290 teachers (experimental: 678, control: 612). The educational videos about cervical cancer and Pap smear test were sent to the experimental group via the web. Three months later, the teachers in both groups were contacted by telephone and asked whether they have a Pap smear test or not, reasons for not having it and test results. A qualitative interview was conducted with 20 teachers in the experimental group to evaluate the web-based education. Results: At the beginning of the study, 25.9% of the teachers in both groups had a Pap smear test. After three months, having a Pap smear test was found to be statistically significantly higher in the experimental group (31.6%) than the control group (23.2%). According to the result of pathology, in the control group cervical cancer (n = 1), in the experimental group CIN1 (n = 1) and HPV53 (n = 1) were diagnosed. Conclusion: The web-based education was found to be effective in Pap smear behaviours of teachers. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons Ltd