Effect of community‐based education to Korean mothers in relation to the prevention of cervical cancer in their daughters: A non‐randomized trial

Aim This study was conducted in order to examine the effects of community-based education on cervical cancer prevention in relation to South Korean mothers’ knowledge about the Papanicolau (Pap) test and human papillomavirus, self-confidence in communication with their daughters, and health-related beliefs about their daughters. Methods A quasi-experimental pre–post design was used. For the experimental group, face-to-face education was administered to 35 participants for 60 min. For the control group, 35 participants were taught by using standardized materials for 20 min. Results The experimental group showed a significant increase in Pap test knowledge, cervical cancer knowledge, and self-confidence in communication with their daughters, compared to the control group. In the post-test, the mothers in the experimental group also perceived cervical cancer as more threatening, their daughter as more susceptible to cervical cancer, Pap tests as being recommended for their daughters, and they showed a significant increase in their self-efficacy of recommending the Pap test to their daughter. Conclusion Community-based education for mothers is effective in increasing their human papillomavirus knowledge, Pap test knowledge, improving their confidence in communication with their daughters, and in some of the health-related beliefs regarding their daughters.