Social Media-Based Education on Cancer Screening Awareness in Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial

July 26, 2026 updated by: Emine Ergin

The Effect of Social Media-Based Education on Women's Knowledge, Attitudes, and Health Literacy Regarding Cancer Screenings: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This randomized controlled study evaluated a social media-based educational program for women who had not previously participated in breast, cervical, or colorectal cancer screening. A total of 132 women aged 30-70 years were assigned to either a social media-based education group or a standard online education group.

The social media-based program was structured according to the Social Ecological Model and delivered through closed WhatsApp and Instagram groups. The standard education group received two online educational sessions via Zoom.

The study evaluated three primary outcomes: knowledge regarding cancer screenings, attitudes toward cancer screening, and self-reported digital health literacy. These outcomes were measured before the assigned educational program and four weeks after its completion. The study did not measure actual participation in cancer screening.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Completed

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

This study was conducted as a two-arm, parallel-group randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effect of a Social Ecological Model-based social media educational program on women's knowledge and attitudes regarding cancer screenings and their self-reported digital health literacy.

The study included 132 women aged 30-70 years who had not previously undergone breast, cervical, or colorectal cancer screening and who met the other eligibility criteria. Participants completed baseline assessments before group assignment and were allocated in a 1:1 ratio to the experimental group or the active comparator group.

The experimental group received a structured educational program through closed WhatsApp and Instagram groups. During the eight-week program, 53 visual educational posters were shared. The content addressed breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer epidemiology, risk factors, symptoms, screening methods, national screening recommendations, healthy lifestyle behaviors, access to screening services, and digital health literacy. Following the scheduled poster-sharing period, four short reinforcement videos were provided. The intervention therefore comprised a total of 57 educational materials.

The active comparator group received two standardized online educational sessions via Zoom, delivered one week apart. Each session lasted approximately 45-60 minutes. The sessions covered breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screenings, digital health literacy, and the use of digital health services such as e-Nabız and the Central Physician Appointment System (MHRS). Participants were allowed to ask questions during the sessions but did not receive the repeated social media content or continuous group interaction provided to the experimental group.

The three co-primary outcomes were cancer screening knowledge, attitudes toward cancer screening, and self-reported digital health literacy. The outcomes were assessed using validated Turkish measurement instruments at baseline and four weeks after completion of the assigned educational program.

The educational intervention was developed with reference to the individual, interpersonal, institutional/organizational, community, and policy levels of the Social Ecological Model. However, all outcome measures were collected at the individual level. Actual cancer screening participation, health service utilization, and outcomes at the interpersonal, organizational, community, or policy levels were not measured.

The study was approved by the Istanbul Medipol University Non-Interventional Clinical Research Ethics Committee (Approval Number: E-10840098-202.3.02-7880). Written informed consent was obtained from all participants.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
132

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.
  • Name: Şerife Çınar, phd candidate midwife
  • Phone Number: +905432285491
  • Email: serifecnr@gmail.com

Study Locations

  • Turkey (Türkiye)
      • Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye), 34214
        • Medipol Mega University Hospital

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Female
  • Aged 30-70 years
  • Applied to Medipol Mega University Hospital in Istanbul between June and August 2025
  • Had not previously undergone breast, cervical, or colorectal cancer screening
  • Actively used both WhatsApp and Instagram
  • Had access to a digital device and internet connection that enabled participation in the educational program
  • Voluntarily agreed to participate and provided written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Previous diagnosis of any type of cancer
  • Previous participation in any breast, cervical, or colorectal cancer screening procedure

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Health Services Research
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: Social Media-Based Education Group
Participants in this group received a Social Ecological Model-based educational program via closed WhatsApp and Instagram groups. During the eight-week program, 53 visual educational posters addressing breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screenings and digital health literacy were shared. After completion of the scheduled poster-sharing period, four short reinforcement videos were also provided. A total of 57 educational materials were delivered.
Behavioral: Social Media-Based Education
The intervention consisted of a Social Ecological Model-based educational program delivered through closed WhatsApp and Instagram groups. Fifty-three visual educational posters were shared during the eight-week program. The materials addressed breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer epidemiology, risk factors, symptoms, screening methods, healthy lifestyle behaviors, access to screening services, and digital health literacy. After the scheduled poster-sharing period, four approximately one-minute reinforcement videos covering breast cancer, cervical cancer, colorectal cancer, and digital health literacy were shared. The intervention therefore comprised a total of 57 educational materials.
Other Names:
  • Instagram & WhatsApp Infographic Education
  • WhatsApp and Instagram-Based Cancer Screening Education
Active Comparator: Standard Education Group
Participants in this group received two standard online educational sessions via Zoom, delivered one week apart. Each session lasted approximately 45-60 minutes and used a standardized slide presentation. The sessions covered breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screenings, digital health literacy, and the use of digital health services.
Behavioral: Standard Online Education
Participants received two standardized online educational sessions via Zoom, delivered one week apart. Each session lasted approximately 45-60 minutes. The sessions covered breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screenings, preventive health information, digital health literacy, and the use of digital health services such as e-Nabız and MHRS. Participants were allowed to ask questions during the sessions; however, they did not receive the daily social media posts, repeated digital content, or continuous group interaction provided to the experimental group.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in Cancer Screening Knowledge Score
Time Frame: Baseline and 4 weeks after completion of the assigned educational program
Cancer screening knowledge was assessed using the 25-item Cancer Screening Knowledge Scale developed in Turkish. Items are answered as correct, incorrect, or "I do not know." Correct responses are scored as 1, and incorrect or "I do not know" responses are scored as 0. The total score ranges from 0 to 25, with higher scores indicating greater knowledge regarding breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screenings.
Baseline and 4 weeks after completion of the assigned educational program
Change in Attitudes Toward Cancer Screening
Time Frame: Baseline and 4 weeks after completion of the assigned educational program
Attitudes toward cancer screening were assessed using the 24-item Cancer Screening Attitude Scale developed in Turkish. Items are rated on a five-point Likert scale. The total score ranges from 24 to 120, with higher scores indicating a more positive attitude toward cancer screening.
Baseline and 4 weeks after completion of the assigned educational program
Change in Digital Health Literacy Level
Time Frame: Baseline and 4 weeks after completion of the assigned educational program
Self-reported digital health literacy was assessed using the validated Turkish version of the 18-item Digital Health Literacy Instrument. The instrument includes six dimensions: information searching, evaluating reliability, determining relevance, navigating, adding self-generated content, and protecting privacy. Total and dimension scores are calculated as mean scores ranging from 1 to 4, with higher scores indicating higher self-reported digital health literacy.
Baseline and 4 weeks after completion of the assigned educational program

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Emine Ergin

Collaborators

Collaborators

An organization other than the sponsor that provides support for a clinical study. This support may include activities related to funding, design, implementation, data analysis, or reporting.
Saglik Bilimleri Universitesi

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Şerife Çınar, PhD Candidate, Midwife, Medipol University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
June 3, 2025

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
December 31, 2025

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
December 31, 2025

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
April 15, 2025

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
April 15, 2025

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
April 23, 2025

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
July 28, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
July 26, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
July 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • SBU-SC2025-RCT

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

IPD Plan Description

No prospective plan was established for sharing individual participant data. The study contains potentially identifiable participant information, and public IPD sharing was not incorporated into the study's original data-management procedures. Study findings will be reported in aggregate form.

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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