Quantitative evaluation of an information leaflet to increase prompt help-seeking for gynaecological cancer symptoms.
BMC Public Health
; 16: 374, 2016 05 04.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-27142652
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Provision of written information may improve awareness of cancer symptoms and encourage timely presentation in primary care. This study assessed changes in symptom knowledge, perceived barriers to help-seeking, anxiety and intention to seek help, following exposure to a leaflet to raise awareness of gynaecological cancer symptoms.METHODS:
Women (N = 484) completed questionnaires before and after reading the leaflet. The primary outcome was change in anticipated time to help-seeking for 12 symptoms. Changes in symptom knowledge, barriers and anxiety, and their association with prompt help-seeking were evaluated using Wilcoxon signed rank tests and logistic regression analyses.RESULTS:
After reading the leaflet, symptom knowledge increased (p < 0.001), and perceived barriers (p < 0.001) and anxiety (p = 0.008) decreased. The number of symptoms for which women anticipated seeking help promptly increased (p < 0.001). Changes in knowledge (OR 4.21, 95 % CI 1.95-9.13) and perceived barriers (OR 4.60, 95 % CI 1.91-11.04) were independently associated with increased help-seeking.CONCLUSION:
Increased symptom knowledge and lowered perceived barriers were related to increased prompt anticipated help-seeking. This occurred without an increase in anxiety. This intervention is effective in altering knowledge, beliefs and help-seeking intentions for gynaecological cancer symptoms, at least in the short-term, and should be trialled in primary care.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Folhetos
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Aceitação pelo Paciente de Cuidados de Saúde
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Educação de Pacientes como Assunto
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Diagnóstico Precoce
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Neoplasias dos Genitais Femininos
Tipo de estudo:
Diagnostic_studies
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Qualitative_research
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Screening_studies
Limite:
Adolescent
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Adult
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Aged
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Aged80
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Female
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Humans
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Middle aged
País como assunto:
Europa
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2016
Tipo de documento:
Article