Cervical Cancer Early Diagnosis Behavior: The Important Role of Electronic Health Literacy

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Cervical cancer screening behavior is more prevalent among individuals with a strong grasp of electronic health literacy. This study aimed to determine the relationship between electronic health literacy and attitudes toward early diagnosis of cervical cancer in women. Materials and Methods: This descriptive and correlational study was conducted with 300 participants between 25 February and 05 May 2024. The study included participants who applied to a hospital in Siirt province of Turkey through purposive sampling. Data were collected using a descriptive information form, the E-Health Literacy Scale and the Cervical Cancer Early Detection Attitude Scale. Descriptive statistics, compare tests, Pearson correlation analysis, and linear regression were conducted for the analysis. Results: The mean age of the participants was 28.91 +/- 4.98 years, and 42.3% had a high school education or higher. The mean total score of the Cervical Cancer Early Detection Attitude Scale was 100.36 +/- 9.38, and the mean total score of the E-Health Literacy Scale was 38.26 +/- 10.05, which is at a moderate level. A positive and moderately significant correlation exists between the EHealth Literacy Scale and the Cervical Cancer Early Detection Attitude Scale (r=0.313, p<0.05). The attitudes towards early diagnosis of cervical cancer were higher in those who had pap smear test, whose family/friends were diagnosed with cervical cancer, and those who received education on cervical cancer and wanted education. These variables were significant predictors explaining 17.8% of the total variance of attitude towards early diagnosis of cervical cancer. Conclusion: Electronic health literacy and cervical cancer-related characteristics positively influence attitudes toward early diagnosis of cervical cancer. This study highlights the importance of considering women's eHealth literacy in interventions to improve cervical cancer early detection behaviours.