Promotion of gynaecologic malignancies awareness scale and expanding awareness through a planned training based on social learning theory

PROMOTION of GYNAECOLOGIC MALIGNANCIES AWARENESS SCALE and EXPANDING AWARENESS THROUGH A PLANNED TRAINING BASED ON SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY Objective: The objective of this study is to promote a "Gynaecological Malignancies Awareness Scale (GMAS)" and comprise positive behavioural change in women by expanding awareness through a planned training based on social learning theory. Materials and Methods: A two phased study has been carried out. In the first phase of the study a measuring scale has been promoted in an effort to determine the awareness of women regarding gynaecological malignancies. In the second phase a training/intervention aimed at expanding awareness regarding gynaecological malignancies has been conducted through the training carried out in accordance with social learning theory. The research has been conducted in three Family Health Centres (FHC no. 1, 2, and 3) located in the city centre of Tunceli province. The first phase of the research has been finalised with 700 women and the second one with 50 women. SPSS 21 statistical packaged software has been used for statistical analysis while evaluating the findings in the first and second phase of the research. During the evaluation of the data in the first phase of the study; Cronbach's alpha analysis, explanatory factor analysis, test-retest analysis, Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) test, total item correlation, confirmatory factor analysis and number and percentage distributions have been calculated. In the evaluation of the data in the second phase of the study; percentage, mean, standard deviation, Kolmogorov-Smirnov distribution test, and t-test in dependent groups have been used. The results have been evaluated within the confidence interval of 95% and at the significance level of p<0.05. Findings: In the first phase of the study, the Cronbach's alpha value of Gynaecologic Malignancies Awareness Scale has been determined as 0.944. To prove the structural validity of the scale, explanatory factor analysis hes been used. As a result of the conducted Bartlett test (p=0.000<0.05), it has been designated that there is a relationship among the variables covered in the factor analysis. The value of Kaiser Mayer Olkin has been found as 0.943>0.60, and the sample size has been determined to be sufficient for the implementation of factor analysis. In the wake of the factor analysis, the variables have been gathered under the four factors whose total variances declared as 60.53%. It has been designated that the Cronbach's alpha value of sub-dimension in routine control and serious illness perception of Gynaecologic Malignancies Awareness Scale is 0.979 and its explained varience value is 36.566%; the Cronbach's alpha value of sub-dimension of gynaecologic malignancies risk awareness is 0.843 and its explained varience value is 10.191%; the Cronbach's alpha value of sub-dimension of the protection awareness from gynaecologic malignancies is 0.778 and its explained varience value is 7.962%; and the Cronbach's alpha value of sub-dimension of ealry diagnose and knowledge awareness in gynaecelogic malignancies is 0.708 and its explained varience value is 5.811%. In the second phase of the study, a statistically significant difference (p>0.05) has been found between the pretest and posttest GMAS (Gynaecological Malignancies Awareness Scale) point average of women. It has been designated that, after the training held based on social learning theory, 62% of the women see a gynaecologist for examination, 92% of them examine their external reproductive organs by themselves, 26.0% of them take PAP-Smear, none of them receives HPV vaccination, 14.3% of them use condoms as a family planning method, and 53.6% of them receive consultancy fort he family planning method that they use from healthcare personel. Result: The developed Gynaecologic Malignancies Awareness Scale (GMAS) is a valid and reliable measuring tool. Via the training conducted based on social learning theory, the behaviours of women towards taking PAP-Smear, regular condom usage, self examination of vulva, having gynaecological checks, and receiving consultancy on using combined oral contraceptives (COCs) have increased. Keywords: Gynaecological Malignancies; Scale Promotion; Awareness, PAP-Smear, Social Learning Theory