Evaluation of the effectiveness of the video and mobile phone application prepared to creat awareness and behavior in breast cancer screening

Introduction: Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women in the world and in Turkey. It also ranks first among cancer-related deaths in women. In developing countries, inadequate awareness about the disease, lack of information, inappropriate screening programs, delayed diagnosis and inadequate medical facilities lead to an increase in breast cancer incidence and mortality. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of the video and mobile phone application prepared to raise awareness about breast cancer screening and turn it into behavior in women aged 40-69 who have no symptoms of breast cancer. Method: It is a design-based quasi-experimental research based on the comparison of pre-test, mid-test and post-test results of women in a single group. Data was collected between May 2023 and January 2024 via online survey and Google Play Store (to download the mobile phone application). The research was completed with 90 women. Data were collected using an individual information form, national breast cancer screening program knowledge test, animated video, MEKTUP application, and research evaluation survey. Results: 74.4% of women are under the age of 50, 78.9% are married, 33.4% are literate/primary school graduates, 35.6% are working, 41.1% are smokers, 93.3% do not consume alcohol and 58.9% are overweight. When the average scores of the national breast cancer screening program knowledge test were compared pairwise, there was a significant difference between the pre-test and mid-test, and between the pre-test and post-test; It was observed that there was no significant difference between the mid-test and the final test. When the sociodemographic data and the knowledge test average scores were compared pairwise, there was a significant difference between the pre-test and mid-test, and between the pre-test and post-test; It was observed that there was no significant difference between the mid-test and the final test. A significant difference was detected when smoking and CBE were compared. When comparing age groups with mammography status and smoking status with mammography status, a significant difference was found. The application allows women to participate in breast cancer screenings; It was determined that 87.8% were animation videos and MEKTUP applications. Conclusion: It was determined that the training on breast cancer screening program given with an animated video increased the knowledge level of women, and the reminder messages sent for breast cancer screenings via the MEKTUP mobile phone application increased the rate of participation in screenings. This study was funded by Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit of Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa Rectorate. Project number: 36577