Cancer Awareness Among Syrian Migrants

April 20, 2026 updated by: Neslihan Özcanarslan, Toros University

A Theory-Driven Educational Intervention to Enhance Cancer Screening Uptake Among Syrian Migrants in Turkey: A Study Protocol

This study aims to develop and evaluate a theory-based educational intervention to improve cancer screening participation among Syrian migrants in Turkey. The study will also develop a Cancer Protection Motivation Scale (CPMS) to measure individuals' motivation toward cancer screening. Using a mixed-methods design, the study will explore barriers, beliefs, and behaviors related to breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening. The effectiveness of the intervention will be assessed using a pretest-posttest design. The findings are expected to support culturally appropriate strategies to improve cancer screening uptake among migrant populations.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Not yet recruiting

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

Syrian migrants face difficulties accessing cancer screening services due to limited healthcare access, language and cultural barriers, and lack of knowledge about cancer screening. However, there is a lack of practical guidance on how public health initiatives can effectively engage with priority populations, particularly migrants. This study aims to present a protocol for developing a Protection Motivation Theory (PMT)-based educational intervention and the Cancer Protection Motivation Scale, informed by an examination of migrants' and healthcare professionals' perspectives on cancer screening. A mixed-methods study protocol has been developed to create a Protection Motivation Theory (PMT)-based educational intervention and the Cancer Protection Motivation Scale. The study will engage migrants and healthcare professionals to explore knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and barriers related to breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening. In the qualitative phase, interviews will be conducted with 30 migrants and healthcare professionals, while in the methodological phase, data from 300 migrants will be used to develop and validate the scale and educational intervention. In the experimental phase, the effectiveness of the intervention will be tested with 30 participants. The study is expected to yield a valid and reliable Cancer Protection Motivation Scale and a culturally sensitive, theory-driven educational intervention. These tools will provide guidance for improving cancer awareness and screening behaviors among migrants, addressing barriers related to access, language, culture, and knowledge.

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 (Estimated)

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.
30

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.

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

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • over 18 years of age
  • hold Syrian citizenship
  • be registered with the Migrant Health Center in Mersin province
  • have proficiency in Turkish or Arabic
  • voluntarily agree to participate

Exclusion Criteria:

  • if they hold Turkish citizenship
  • have a diagnosed psychiatric disorder
  • have been diagnosed with cancer
  • wish to withdraw from the study

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: Prevention
  • Allocation: N/A
  • Interventional Model: Single Group 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: The group receiving the PMT-based cancer screening educational intervention.
A Protection Motivation Theory (PMT)-based educational program focusing on breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening will be delivered to participants. Pretest and posttest assessments will be conducted using the Cancer Protection Motivation Scale (CPMS) to evaluate changes in motivation and screening-related behaviors.
Other: PMT-Based Cancer Screening Educational Intervention
This intervention is a structured educational program developed based on Protection Motivation Theory (PMT). It aims to improve cancer screening behaviors among Syrian migrants through culturally adapted educational sessions focusing on breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening. The intervention targets key components of PMT, including threat appraisal (perceived severity, perceived vulnerability, and rewards) and coping appraisal (self-efficacy, response efficacy, and perceived costs). Educational content is designed to increase awareness, enhance motivation, and reduce perceived barriers. Participants will receive the training through interactive sessions. The effectiveness of the intervention will be evaluated using pretest and posttest assessments with the Cancer Protection Motivation Scale (CPMS).
Behavioral: PMT-Based Cancer Screening Education Program
This behavioral intervention is a structured education program based on Protection Motivation Theory (PMT), designed to improve cancer screening behaviors among Syrian migrants. The program targets key PMT constructs, including perceived severity, perceived vulnerability, response efficacy, self-efficacy, and perceived barriers. It includes culturally adapted, interactive educational sessions focusing on breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening. The intervention aims to increase knowledge, enhance motivation, and reduce perceived barriers to screening participation. Effectiveness will be evaluated using pre- and post-intervention assessments with the Cancer Protection Motivation Scale (CPMS).
Other Names:
  • PMT Education Program
  • Cancer Screening Education Intervention

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
Cancer Protection Motivation Scale (CPMS)
Time Frame: 3 weeks
Cancer protection motivation will be assessed using the Cancer Protection Motivation Scale (CPMS), a researcher-developed multidimensional instrument based on Protection Motivation Theory. The scale measures threat appraisal (perceived severity, vulnerability, and rewards), coping appraisal (response efficacy and response cost), and self-efficacy. The CPMS is planned to consist of 24 items rated on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree. The total score ranges from 24 to 120, with higher scores indicating greater motivation. Content validity will be evaluated using the Content Validity Index (CVI) based on the opinions of approximately 20 experts. Following language validation, a pilot study will be conducted with 20 participants, after which the scale will be administered to 300 individuals. The CPMS will be used as a pretest and posttest to evaluate effectiveness.
3 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Knowledge of Cancer and Screening (Structured Questionnaire Score)
Time Frame: 3 weeks
Participants' knowledge regarding breast, cervical, and colorectal cancers and related screening programs will be assessed using a researcher-developed structured questionnaire. The questionnaire will include items on cancer risk factors, symptoms, and screening recommendations. It will be administered before the intervention (pretest) and after the educational program (posttest). Higher scores will indicate greater knowledge.
3 weeks

Other Outcome Measures

Other Outcome Measures

For clinical trials, a planned measurement described in the protocol that is used to determine the effect of an intervention/treatment on participants. For observational studies, a measurement or observation that is used to describe patterns of diseases or traits, or associations with exposures, risk factors, or treatment. Types of outcome measures include primary outcome measure and secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Cancer Screening Behavior (Referral and Attendance Rates)
Time Frame: 3 weeks
Participants' cancer screening behaviors will be assessed by measuring referral and attendance rates to relevant health facilities for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening. The number and proportion of participants who attend screening services after the intervention will be recorded. Behavioral changes will be evaluated by comparing screening attendance before and after the educational program.
3 weeks

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.
Toros 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 (Estimated)

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.
April 20, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

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.
May 15, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

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.
July 15, 2026

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 11, 2026

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 17, 2026

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 21, 2026

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.
April 24, 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.
April 20, 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.
April 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.
  • 22.06.2022/130

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

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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