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Determining the relationship between men’s eHealth literacy levels, their beliefs about cervical cancer, and their spousal support for screening

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between men’s eHealth literacy levels and their beliefs about cervical cancer, as well as their behavior regarding spousal support for screening. This is a cross-sectional study conducted in Turkey between June 2025 and November 2025 using an online survey method with 417 married men. The eHealth literacy scale and a personal information form were used. The relationships between eHealth literacy, and, selected item-level beliefs about cervical cancer were examined using point-biserial correlation analysis; the predictors of spousal support behaviors were examined using logistic regression analysis. The participants’ mean age was 40.91 ± 8.76 years, and 48.2% reported supporting their spouses’ participation in cervical cancer screening. The mean eHealth literacy score was 28.54 ± 6.14. eHealth literacy was positively associated with selected item-level beliefs that cervical cancer is preventable, treatable, fatal, and detectable at an early stage through screening (rₚb = 0.12–0.20, all p < 0.05). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, eHealth literacy level (OR = 1.05, p = 0.024) and the belief that cervical cancer is treatable (OR = 2.78, p = 0.005) were found to be associated with spousal support behavior. Additionally, the spouse’s prior participation in screening (OR = 11.23, p < 0.001) and the participant’s attendance at routine health checkups (OR = 2.20, p = 0.004) were significantly associated with spousal support behavior. These findings suggest that men’s eHealth literacy and supportive spousal roles may be considered complementary social and behavioral factors within broader efforts to understand women’s participation in cervical cancer screening.

Source: Scientific Reports

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-58346-9

Authors: Fulden Özkeçeci, Gülten Güvenç

Institutions: Antalya Bilim Üniversitesi, Antalya Bilim University, Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi

Language: English

Topic: Health Literacy and Information Accessibility

Subfield: General Health Professions

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,690