The effect of digital storytelling on women's human papilloma virus awareness: Randomized controlled experimental study.

Abstract

This study aims to determine the effectiveness of the digital storytelling (DS) method in increasing human papilloma virus (HPV) awareness. The study was conducted in the gynecology and obstetrics outpatient clinic of a state hospital between April and December 2023. The universe of the study consisted of women who applied to the outpatient clinic between these dates and volunteered. A total of 80 women who met the inclusion criteria were included in the study (n = 40 for each group). Data for the study were gathered using Personal Introduction Form and Human Papilloma Virus Knowledge Scale. Repeated measures ANOVA method was used to determine the difference between the pre-training, post-first training and post-second training measurement scores according to the intervention and control groups. For significant ANOVA results, measurements with differences were compared pairwise using Bonferroni correction. All statistical analyses were examined at the p < 0.05 significance level. Socio-demographic characteristics and HPV awareness levels of women in the intervention and control groups were similar before training (p > 0.05). After the activity conducted with the digital story method in the intervention group, the HPV awareness levels of women in this group increased significantly (p < 0.05). Considering the development in each group, an increase in posttest scores is observed in both groups. However, when the increase amounts in each group in the intervention and control groups were examined, it was determined that all awareness levels increased more in the intervention group. In the intergroup comparison, it was determined that the mean measurements of general HPV knowledge, general HPV vaccine knowledge, and knowledge of the current HPV vaccination program of women in the intervention group at the first and second follow-ups after the training were higher than those in the control group. The DS method was effective in raising HPV awareness given to the intervention group. Health professionals and researchers can benefit from DS in providing health education and consultancy services such as HPV awareness.