Designing Technology to Overcome the Lack of Transmission of HPV Facts: Step One-”A Theory of the Problem

Abstract

The lack of health knowledge among people may cause serious health problems. Cervical cancer, which kills hundreds of thousands of women around the world each year, is almost always caused by Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). Much is known about HPV that women could use to avoid infections, but widespread lack of transmission of HPV facts to women prevents them from taking the steps necessary to avoid infection. This paper theorizes about the problem of lack of transmission of HPV facts. Hence, "HPV Facts Transmission Model, Including Barriers and Resources Factors" has been identified. A "theory of the problem" [1] may assist in developing a "theory of the solution," in which to-be-developed IT artifacts could play an important role.1 Markus [1] proposed that IS/IT researchers should develop theories of problems and theories of solutions, discussed below.

The Effect of Implementing an SMS Messaging System to Overcome the Lack of Transmission of HPV Facts in Saudi Arabia

“…This research follows up research that was conducted by Bitar and Ryan [5] and Bitar et al [6]. The authors in these previous studies established a theory of the problem through developing and understanding the eight factors in the HPV facts transmission model [5] that explain the lack of transmission of the HPV facts among women in Saudi Arabia. Based on the HPV facts transmission model, there are several mechanisms involved in the transfer of HPV facts to increase women's knowledge, such as having a good intention and coping planning [6].…”

“…As a start to addressing this problem, this research develops a type of theory proposed by Markus, a theory of the solution [7]. This type of theory focuses on designing and building an IT artifact as a solution to the problem that was developed previously as a theory of the problem [7]-in this case, lack of transmission of HPV facts [5]. This research follows up research that was conducted by Bitar and Ryan [5] and Bitar et al [6].…”

“…Knowledge about HPV exists in many public information sources--e.g., the "Mayo Clinic" website-but unfortunately, this knowledge does not necessarily reach women who must know about this sexuallyrelated illness [5]. This infection is marked with stigma, which many see as a reason for lacking knowledge about it [5]. STDs, including HPV, are linked to stigma, and this link affects individuals seeking sexual health information to increase their general knowledge, to avoid STDs.…”

“…Furthermore, searching for and learning from health materials written in different languages affects women's seeking sexual health information to increase their knowledge [6]. Thus, the problem of failure of transmission of HPV facts must be addressed by society, including the IS/IT research community [5].…”

“…This type of theory focuses on designing and building an IT artifact as a solution to the problem that was developed previously as a theory of the problem [7]-in this case, lack of transmission of HPV facts [5]. This research follows up research that was conducted by Bitar and Ryan [5] and Bitar et al [6]. The authors in these previous studies established a theory of the problem through developing and understanding the eight factors in the HPV facts transmission model [5] that explain the lack of transmission of the HPV facts among women in Saudi Arabia.…”