Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice

The Relationship Between the Health Literacy Levels of Women of Reproductive Age and Their Level of Knowledge About Cancer Screenings

ABSTRACTPurposeThe study was planned to determine the relationship between health literacy and knowledge of cancer screening in women of reproductive age.MethodsCervical cancer, breast cancer and colorectal cancer screenings are conducted as part of the Turkish National Cancer Screening Program. Therefore, participants' knowledge about cervical cancer, breast cancer and colorectal cancer screening knowledge was measured. Descriptive and relational study were used. Data were collected between 7 November 2023 and 30 April 2024 from all women aged 18–49 living in the Central Anatolia region of Turkey. The instruments used for data collection were the descriptive information form, Turkey Health Literacy Scale (TSOY‐32) and Cancer Screening Knowledge Scale. Descriptive, comparative and multiple regression analyses were performed.FindingsThe mean age of the women was 30.31 ± 9.49 (min = 18, max = 49). The mean TSOY‐32 score of the women was 34.45 ± 7.97. The level of health literacy of the women participating in the study was adequate. The mean score of the Women's Knowledge Scale for Cancer Screenings was 13.76 ± 4.67. The study found a small, positive and significant association between women's health literacy and their knowledge of cancer screenings (p < 0.01). As women's health literacy increases, their knowledge about cancer screening also increases.ConclusionIt is recommended to assess women's health literacy in midwifery education. The level of women's health literacy should be assessed before cancer screening training is provided in primary health care facilities. It is recommended that cancer screening training be delivered according to the level of health literacy. It is expected that the quality and effectiveness of training will increase in this way. The number of cancer screening trainings in health care facilities should be increased.

Practical Study on the Participation of Clinical Pharmacists in Multi‐Disciplinary Teams Dealing With Nutrition Intervention Management in Ovarian Cancer

ABSTRACTObjectiveThis study aimed to explore the role of clinical pharmacists in guiding nutritional treatment in a multi‐disciplinary team for patients with ovarian cancer (OC) and the significance of pharmaceutical nutritional intervention in overall management and drug administration.MethodsFifty‐nine patients with OC in our gynaecological oncology ward were retrospectively investigated. The patients were divided into a conventional therapy (CT) group (n = 30) and a pharmaceutical management (PM) group (n = 29) according to different nutritional therapies received. Nutritional monitoring indicators and clinical response indicators were used to evaluate the intervention effect. Serum albumin (ALB), haemoglobin (HGB) and prealbumin (PAB) levels at admission and discharge, exhaust time, time to return to a normal diet, time to first postoperative chemotherapy and length of hospital stay were measured.ResultsThe PAB and ALB indicators in the PM group returned to the admission levels; the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in HGB levels between the two groups (p > 0.05). The time to flatus, time to return to normal diet and time to first postoperative chemotherapy in the PM group were significantly shorter than those in the CT group, and the differences had statistical significance (p < 0.05). Patients in the PM group had a significantly shorter hospital stay than those in the CT group (12.5 ± 3.2 days vs 16.8 ± 4.1 days; p = 0.022).ConclusionNutritional treatment management by clinical pharmacists plays a key role in the antitumour treatment of patients with OC, effectively improving their nutritional status and thus promoting rapid postoperative recovery.

Knowledge, attitudes and practices toward cervical cancer screening among ethnic minorities in inner Mongolia, China

Abstract Aims This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) towards cervical cancer screening among ethnic minorities in Inner Mongolia, China. Methods A cross‐sectional study was conducted in Inner Mongolia between May and September, 2023, and recruiting participants undergoing dual‐cancer screening. Demographic characteristics and KAP status were assessed using a self‐administered questionnaire. Results A total of 533 valid questionnaires were collected, with 53.66% aged 40 years or younger. Mean scores for knowledge, attitude, and practice were 13.58 ± 5.41, 41.06 ± 4.53, and 13.35 ± 1.53, respectively. Positive associations were found between knowledge and attitude ( r  = 0.348, p  < 0.001), knowledge and practice (r = 0.288, p  < 0.001), and attitude and practice ( r  = 0.817, p  < 0.001). Structural equation modelling confirmed direct positive associations between knowledge and attitude (path coefficient = 0.307, p  < 0.001) and attitude and practice (path coefficient = 0.270, p  < 0.001). Additionally, knowledge demonstrated an indirectly positive association with practice (path coefficient = 0.083, p  = 0.007). Conclusion Ethnic minorities in Inner Mongolia exhibit insufficient knowledge, positive attitudes, and proactive practices toward cervical cancer screening. Implementing targeted educational initiatives is crucial to enhance their KAP.

What do cervical cancer patients know, how do they learn, and who do they tell? A pilot study

AbstractBackground: This study explored what patients identified with cervical cancer know about the link between human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer and where they learned this information. Patients share a great deal of information with family, friends and colleagues and we were interested in the accuracy and sources of information they are sharing.Methods: Patients identified through the EHR of a health system who had a history of cervical cancer were invited to participate in a brief survey of their experience. The sample represents an opportunity sample of patients who responded.Results: Generally, these patients, drawn from the Geisinger Health System in central Pennsylvania, were older (mean 57.5 years), White, and about half had annual household income of $35 K. Among all respondents about 17% had not heard of HPV, 21% did not know about an HPV vaccine, and about 38% did not know about the link between HPV and cervical cancer. Most frequently patients reported obtaining their information about HPV from television advertisements. About half received information from their oncologist. Patients reported having conversations with families about their own cancer, the cause of their cancer and HPV vaccination. It is important to note that these conversations were supported by information from many sources.Conclusions: Patients may serve as a conduit for information about their condition and may be informal ‘educators’ in the community. It is important to make certain that these opportunities are informed by information obtained from trusted and accurate sources.