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Todor RD, Brătucu G, Candrea AN, Strempel CG, Anastasiu CV. Social Media Campaigns: A Game Changer for the Prevention of Breast Cancer in Romania. Healthcare (Basel) 2024; 12:865. [PMID: 38667627 PMCID: PMC11050581 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12080865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Revised: 04/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Social media can be used to raise awareness about health issues, especially concerning the importance of periodical screening. The present study aims to identify the role of social media awareness campaigns in the early detection of breast cancer, with a focus on Romania, a country with a high female mortality due to this disease. The research is performed using a survey, based on an online questionnaire, which was self-administered by the respondents included in two samples selected from a Facebook community of Romanian women. Sample A was composed of 1945 women who were not exposed to periodic campaigns regarding the importance of screening for the prevention and early detection of this type of disease, and Sample B was composed of 289 women who were exposed to such annual campaigns within the last 5 years. The results outline several differences among respondents from the two samples regarding their awareness of prevention necessity, as well as the frequency and chosen methods for breast cancer screening. The findings hold important implications for public authorities, which must intensify their efforts in raising women's awareness regarding the importance of screening for the early detection and prevention of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raluca Dania Todor
- Department of Marketing, Tourism Services and International Affairs, Faculty of Economic Sciences and Business Administration, Transilvania University of Braşov, Colina Universității Street, no. 1, Building A, 500068 Braşov, Romania; (R.D.T.); (G.B.); (C.G.S.)
| | - Gabriel Brătucu
- Department of Marketing, Tourism Services and International Affairs, Faculty of Economic Sciences and Business Administration, Transilvania University of Braşov, Colina Universității Street, no. 1, Building A, 500068 Braşov, Romania; (R.D.T.); (G.B.); (C.G.S.)
| | - Adina Nicoleta Candrea
- Department of Marketing, Tourism Services and International Affairs, Faculty of Economic Sciences and Business Administration, Transilvania University of Braşov, Colina Universității Street, no. 1, Building A, 500068 Braşov, Romania; (R.D.T.); (G.B.); (C.G.S.)
| | - Christian Gabriel Strempel
- Department of Marketing, Tourism Services and International Affairs, Faculty of Economic Sciences and Business Administration, Transilvania University of Braşov, Colina Universității Street, no. 1, Building A, 500068 Braşov, Romania; (R.D.T.); (G.B.); (C.G.S.)
| | - Costin Vlad Anastasiu
- Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Faculty of Medicine, Transilvania University of Braşov, B-dul Eroilor 29, 500036 Brașov, Romania;
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Todor RD, Bratucu G, Moga MA, Candrea AN, Marceanu LG, Anastasiu CV. Challenges in the Prevention of Cervical Cancer in Romania. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021; 18:1721. [PMID: 33578977 PMCID: PMC7916723 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18041721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Approximately every two hours, a Romanian woman is diagnosed with cervical cancer as the country ranks first in the EU in terms of its mortality rate. This paper aims to identify the main reasons that have led to this situation. First, a study based on secondary data was conducted in order to identify measures taken by the Romanian Ministry of Health for the prevention of this type of cancer. Second, a quantitative study was conducted to evaluate the impact that exposure to information and awareness campaigns has on women's behavior regarding cervical cancer prevention through screening. The results of the research show an increased percentage of the women understanding the importance of screening and the benefits of early diagnosis, but also shows that a high percentage of women postpone the routine checks due to lack of time and financial resources. The research results also indicate that the only free screening program implemented in Romania during 2012-2017 was a failure due to poor procedures, low number of women tested, underfunding and the lack of promotion. Our conclusion is that the Romanian Ministry of Health has to take immediate action by conducting major awareness campaigns and also by implementing functional screening programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raluca Dania Todor
- Faculty of Economic Sciences and Business Administration, Department of Marketing, Tourism Services and International Affairs, Transilvania University of Braşov, Colina Universității Street, no. 1, Building A, Braşov 500068, Romania; (R.D.T.); (G.B.)
| | - Gabriel Bratucu
- Faculty of Economic Sciences and Business Administration, Department of Marketing, Tourism Services and International Affairs, Transilvania University of Braşov, Colina Universității Street, no. 1, Building A, Braşov 500068, Romania; (R.D.T.); (G.B.)
| | - Marius Alexandru Moga
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Transilvania University of Braşov, B-dul Eroilor 29, 500036 Brașov, Romania; (L.G.M.); (C.V.A.)
| | - Adina Nicoleta Candrea
- Faculty of Economic Sciences and Business Administration, Department of Marketing, Tourism Services and International Affairs, Transilvania University of Braşov, Colina Universității Street, no. 1, Building A, Braşov 500068, Romania; (R.D.T.); (G.B.)
| | - Luigi Geo Marceanu
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Transilvania University of Braşov, B-dul Eroilor 29, 500036 Brașov, Romania; (L.G.M.); (C.V.A.)
| | - Costin Vlad Anastasiu
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Transilvania University of Braşov, B-dul Eroilor 29, 500036 Brașov, Romania; (L.G.M.); (C.V.A.)
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