POPLINE Document Number: 194593
Author(s):
Risi L
Bindman JP
Campbell OM
Imrie J
Everett K
Source citation:
Health Education Research Theory and Practice, 2004 Aug;19(4):457-468.
Abstract:
Successful cervical cancer prevention depends on reaching, screening and treating women with pre-invasive disease. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of two media interventions—a photo-comic and a radio-drama—in increasing cervical screening uptake. A randomized controlled trial compared a photo-comic on cervical cancer screening with a placebo comic. One month after the comics were distributed a radio drama paralleling the photo-comic was broadcast on the community radio station and a retrospective evaluation was carried out. The trial was set in Khayelitsha, a peri-urban squatter community near Cape Town, South Africa. A random sample consisted of 658 women between the ages of 35 and 65 years, from a stratified sample of census areas. The main outcome measure was self-reported cervical screening uptake 6 months after distribution of the comics. Seven percent (18 of 269) of women who received the intervention photo comic reported cervical screening during the 6 months follow-up, compared with 6% (25 of 389) of controls (P 5 0.89). Women who recalled hearing the radio-drama were more likely to report attending screening (nine of 53, 17%) than those who did not (19 of 429, 4%; P < 0.001). We conclude that the photo-comic was ineffective in increasing cervical screening uptake in this population. The radio-drama may have had more impact, but only a minority of women recalled being exposed to it. Future research must concentrate not only on achieving high level of exposure to health messages, but also on investigating the links between exposure and action. (author's)
Keywords:
South AfricaIndex page
Research Report
Case Control Studies
Comparative Studies
Women in Development
Screening
Mass Media
Cervical Cancer
Utilization of Health Care
Comic Books
Pap Smear
Radio
Africa, Southern
Africa, Sub Saharan
Africa
Developing Countries
Studies
Research Methodology
Economic Development
Economic Factors
Examinations and Diagnoses
Communication
Cancer
Neoplasms
Diseases
Health Services
Delivery of Health Care
Health
Printed Media
Laboratory Examinations and Diagnoses
Broadcast Media