Readability, comprehensibility and acceptability of the materials of the Cervical Cancer Population Screening Program in Asturias: a mixed methodology study

e202507040

Authors

  • Sergio Álvarez-Rodríguez Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias. Oviedo. España. https://orcid.org/0009-0005-2224-4430
  • Mª Azucena Fariñas Cabrero Servicio de Salud Poblacional, Consejería de Salud del Principado de Asturias. Oviedo. España.
  • Jose María Blanco González Servicio de Salud Poblacional, Consejería de Salud del Principado de Asturias. Oviedo. España.
  • Ana Fernández Feito Departamento de Medicina, Facultad de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Oviedo. Oviedo. España. / Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias. Oviedo. España. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5718-0570

Keywords:

Folleto informativo para pacientes, Comprensión, Detección precoz del cáncer, Investigación cualitativa, Neoplasias uterinas

Abstract

BACKGROUND // The implementation of the Cervical Cancer Population Screening Programme involves sending an invitation letter and a leaflet to the target population. The objective of this paper was to evaluate the readability, comprehensibility and acceptability of the letter and leaflet of the Cervical Cancer Population Screening Programme in Asturias.

METHODS // A mixed methods study was conducted in fifty-four women living in Asturias between 2021-2022. The INFLESZ 1.0 was used to measure readability and the Cloze test combined with multiple-choice questions was used to assess comprehension. Semi-structured interviews and focus groups were used to evaluate acceptability and understanding.

RESULTS // The leaflet presented normal readability. The general comprehension of the materials (letter and leaflet) was good, however, some terms such as screening were deemed confusing. The leaflet was perceived as interesting, very detailed and comprehensive. The main themes were: 1) the process of reporting on the program and its outcomes; 2) women’s knowledge of screening programs and human papillomavirus were improvable; 3) the letter and leaflet were understandable; 4) what the format of the letter and leaflet should look like; and 5) factors related to participation in the programme.

CONCLUSIONS // The target population’s assessment of the letter and the leaflet is positive, and no problems of legibility, comprehension or acceptance were detected. However, it is important to review some terms that can generate confusion. The population perceived that the information received from the screening programs is highly valuable.

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Published

2025-07-23

How to Cite

1.
Álvarez-Rodríguez S, Fariñas Cabrero MA, Blanco González JM, Fernández Feito A. Readability, comprehensibility and acceptability of the materials of the Cervical Cancer Population Screening Program in Asturias: a mixed methodology study: e202507040. Rev Esp Salud Pública [Internet]. 2025 Jul. 23 [cited 2026 Apr. 2];99(1):20 páginas. Available from: https://ojs.sanidad.gob.es/index.php/resp/article/view/1027

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