Effect of Targeted Educational Program Based on Thetranstheoretical Model on the Acceptance and Understanding of Mammography in Women Over 40

Mammography screening as the most sensitive diagnostic test, while reducing mortality, will improve the quality of life. Training that has the ability to change perceptions and acceptance can be used in designing effective interventions to perform and perpetuate this behavior. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of targeted education based on the transtheoretical Model on the acceptance and perception of mammography in women over 40.

In this experimental study, 128 eligible women over 40 years of age referring to comprehensive health centers in Amol were randomly assigned to two groups of intervention and control (n=62 in each group). For the intervention group, four online training sessions were held using WhatsApp over a period of four weeks. Leaflets and instructional videos were provided to participants, and their questions were answered online. The control group received the same educational content after sampling. The Rakowski Stages of Change Questionnaire and the Decision Balance Questionnaire for both groups were completed before, immediately, and one month after training. Data analysis was performed in SPSS software using paired t-test, chi-square, repeated measures RM, and independent t-test.

The frequency percentage of the stages of change model before the intervention was not significantly different between the control and intervention groups immediately after the intervention (P=0.022) and one month later (P=0.008). In the intervention group, the frequency of pre-thinking stages decreased, while the stages of thinking and acting increased. The mean score of negative perception based on the decision balance questionnaire was significantly different between the two groups of control and intervention before training, immediately after training, and one month after training (P<0.001). The mean score of positive perception based on the decision balance questionnaire demonstrated a significant difference between the control and intervention groups immediately after training and one month after training (P<0.001).

Based on the results of this study, the use of the transtheoretical model, while increasing positive perception, improves people's performance and can be used to improve screening programs.