Comparison of Training via Short Messages and Group Training on Level of Knowledge and Practice of Middle-Aged Women About Breast Cancer Screening Tests

Abstract

This study is aimed to compare the effect of two methods of short messages and group training on level of knowledge and practice of middle-aged women about breast cancer screening procedures. This clinical trial study was done on 210 women aged 40-60 years in Mahshahr city, Iran. Eligible middle-aged women were randomly assigned in two groups of short message (n = 105) and group training (n = 105). Data collected through a questionnaire which included three parts (demographic, knowledge and practice of women about breast cancer and screening procedures). Group training was educated for two sessions in 2 weeks that each session lasted 2 h. In the short message group, every woman received texts about breast cancer, reasons, and preventive methods, three times a week, for 2 weeks. The questionnaire (knowledge and practice) was completed 2 months after educational intervention. Data was analyzed using independent t test, paired t test, and chi-square. Results of this study showed that average score of knowledge in two groups increased significantly, from 34.4 ± 7.54 to 40. 8 ± 7.18 in the short text messages (SMS) and from 35 to 39.75 in the group training (P > 0.05). Also, the score of breast examination by health provider in the SMS group was significantly higher than that in the group training, but the score of breast self-examination in the group training was higher than that in the short message (P < 0.05). The results showed that training by each way is effective to increase knowledge and performance of women about breast cancer screening methods. Further studies to compare the cost-effectiveness of two methods are recommended.

The effectiveness of short text messages on nurses' arrhythmia interpretation skills

“…Wood et al also reported that using SMS messages is beneficial in enhancing perinatal education for midwives 24 . Conversely, Naserian et al and Gill et al revealed that using SMS messages as a training tool was not an effective approach to improve knowledge levels in medical education 20,31 . One possible explanation for this might be the differences in studies regarding sample size, participants, outcome measures, potential bias in scores, or the quality of the research methodology.…”

“…24 Conversely, Naserian et al and Gill et al revealed that using SMS messages as a training tool was not an effective approach to improve knowledge levels in medical education. 20,31 One possible explanation for this might be the differences in studies regarding sample size, participants, outcome measures, potential bias in scores, or the quality of the research methodology. In addition, there is a need for more high-quality RCTs on text messaging in enhancing the cardiac arrhythmia interpretation skills of ICU nurses.…”

“…Of these, 81% use internet‐based mobile messaging applications such as WhatsApp, with more than 230 million SMS messages used for communication in the last few years in Turkey 17,18 . SMS messages have the potential to be integrated into various fields, for example, in the health education of various patient groups such as patients with chronic disease, young adults and adolescents, 19‐22 as well as in the form of a training tool in medical education 23 . Indeed, due to the efficient communication capabilities of SMS messages, they are a feasible, convenient, and inexpensive tool for health education 17,21,22,24 .…”

The effect of a smartphone application on women’s performance and health beliefs about breast self-examination: a quasi-experimental study

“…Previous studies suggested the use of smartphones in promoting health knowledge, behaviors, and outcomes [ 23 , 24 ]. Using smartphone applications has been reported to have a positive effect on the performance of BSE among females [ 25 ]. Health education based on the novel educational techniques in the field of BSE can enrich the quality of education, increase women's awareness regarding BSE, and change their attitudes and scientific skills, so that they accept BSE as a health habit [ 26 ].…”

The Study on Public-Interest Short Message Service (SMS) in China during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Mobile User Survey and Content Analysis

“…As an effective tool and intervention method, a series of studies have revealed the positive effects of sending health information by one-way or an interactive way for pre-exposure prevention [4]. SMS can help people manage their health [5,6] and prevent disease [7,8]. In particular, due to its cheaper price, it is feasible to conduct public health interventions in low-and middleincome countries [9].…”