Open AccessEvaluation of Web Portal for Improving Cancer Awareness in General Population in India
Author(s) -
Abhishek Khare,
Jaiprakash Agarwal,
Roopa Hariprasad,
S. K. Gupta,
Ravi Mehrotra
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of global oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.002
H-Index - 17
ISSN - 2378-9506
DOI - 10.1200/jgo.18.78100
Subject(s) - medicine , population , emic and etic , qualitative research , health education , medical education , public health , environmental health , pathology , social science , sociology , anthropology
Background: With details on various cancers and recent advances in cancer prevention, a Web portal was developed to create awareness and value added education among Web-users in general population in villages, small towns and large cities of India. Aim: The Web portal aims at bringing awareness at the 3 levels of health related education program delivery success/efficacy triangle. The 1st level is cognitive learning of just being aware of cancer & basic knowledge. The 2nd level is a positive effect to be able to adopt life style changes that will lead to habit changes in diet, substance abuse and other life style habits and adherence to prescribed treatment. The 3rd level is actual behavioral change. Methods: A mixed methods study design incorporating etic-emic & qualitative research methodology and quantitative cross-sectional methods. We also used focused group discussions and in-depth interviews as part of qualitative study designs. Results: On the basis of data from the 100 participants, the Web portal was found to have improved attitudes toward accessing information related to cancer in participants. There was also an increase in the knowledge of the people, both general population and level 1 healthcare worker as compared with their previous knowledge about cancer. Also found was improvement in knowledge about the prevalent cancers, their screening procedures and general measures of prevention and treatment. Conclusion: On the basis of participants evaluated, we found that the Web portal may have a positive effect on cancer awareness of general population. Participants found the Web portal as a relevant tool to access information in the feedback. The comprehensive data which will be available after feedback from all participants, will help in understanding the nature of user´s response to Web based resources and its implications in improving lifestyle choices and promoting early screening & early detection of cancer.