HEALTH-EDUCATION TO IMPROVE REPEAT PARTICIPATION IN THE DUTCH BREAST-CANCER SCREENING-PROGRAM - EVALUATION OF A LEAFLET TAILORED TO PREVIOUS PARTICIPANTS

Participation in breast cancer screening programmes often declines in the course of the programme. The purpose of the present study was to e xamine whether health education could diminish the amount of drop-outs between two screening rounds. The health education was tailored to wo men who previously underwent mammography. Based on the Elaboration Lik elihood Model two versions of the tailored leaflet were made: a simple version and a version with additional peripheral cues. In an experime ntal study among 2961 women the effects of the tailored leaflets on re -participation were tested against a standard leaflet. Re-participatio n rates were high (> 90%) and did not differ between the 3 groups. No significant differences regarding beliefs about re-participating were found between the 3 groups. Results indicate that the tailored informa tion leaflets did not enhance re-participation. Therefore, the require d additional efforts and costs do not seem to be justified. The result s of the study provide indications that less painful mammograms and fr iendly staff might improve re-participation.