Effect of Web-Based Education on Attitudes and Beliefs About HPV Testing

THE EFFECT OF WEB-BASED EDUCATION GIVEN TO WOMEN ON THEIR ATTITUDES AND BELIEFS ABOUT HPV TESTING

Cervical cancer is a highly preventable public health issue that significantly impacts women's quality of life. Although effective screening programs such as Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) testing and Pap-smears are widely available, women's participation in these early detection services often remains limited. The primary barriers to screening attendance include insufficient education, lack of information, negative beliefs, psychosocial or cultural factors, and misconceptions regarding gynecological examinations. To improve screening uptake, health interventions must focus not only on increasing knowledge but also on promoting correct beliefs and positive attitudes toward testing.

Web-based health education serves as an effective method to overcome barriers such as cost, transportation difficulties, and geographical limitations, allowing wider access to healthcare guidance. This study aims to evaluate the effects of a specialized web-based educational intervention on women's attitudes and beliefs regarding the HPV test. The research is designed as a randomized controlled trial with a pre-test and post-test design. Participants will be assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group will receive structured health education through a dedicated web platform, while the control group will receive routine standard follow-up. Data will be gathered using a specific attitude and belief scale before and after the application to measure the intervention's impact.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Having no prior clinical diagnosis of cervical cancer
• Being between 18 and 60 years of age
• Having active access to the internet
• Being literate at a level sufficient to read and understand the questionnaire forms
• Being capable of effectively navigating and using a web browser
• Being registered as a patient at Sakarya Akyazı No. 3 Family Health Center
• Volunteering to participate in the study and providing informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Withdrawing from the study voluntarily at any stage
• Failing to watch the mandatory educational videos on the platform
• Submitting incomplete or incorrect responses to the data collection tools
• Lacking active internet access or proper web browser usage skills

Criteria for Study Discontinuation / Drop-out:

• Participant's request to withdraw from the study
• Failure to respond to or complete the data collection tools
• Not using or logging into the web application for more than 2 consecutive weeks during the study period