Effectiveness of a tailored communication intervention on colonoscopy uptake for firstdegree relatives of colorectal cancer patients: A randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of a WeChat tailored communication intervention on colonoscopy uptake and health beliefs in Chinese first-degree relatives (FDRs) of colorectal cancer patients. METHODS: This study employed a single-blinded randomized controlled trial. A total of 188 eligible FDRs were recruited and randomly assigned to the tailored intervention group or control group. Health beliefs were assessed at 1 (T1) and 3 months (T2) postintervention. The colonoscopy uptake was verified by medical records at T2. Data were analyzed using binary logistic regression and generalized estimating equation models. RESULTS: Compared with the participants in the control group, those in the intervention group had a significant improvement in terms of colonoscopy uptake (OR = 2.752, 95% CI: 1.428–5.303, P ​< ​0.01), perceived susceptibility (T1: β ​= ​0.298, 95% CI: ​0.052–0.402, P ​< ​0.05; T2: β ​= ​0.251, 95% CI: ​0.078–0.424, P ​< ​0.001) and cues to action (T1: β ​= ​0.0.264, 95% CI: ​0.138–0.389, P ​< ​0.001; T2: β ​= ​0.327, 95% CI: ​0.195–0.459, P ​< ​0.001) and a significant reduction in perceived barriers (T1: β ​= ​−0.237, 95% CI: ​−0.360−0.115, P ​< ​0.01; T2: β ​= ​−0.196, 95% CI: ​−0.331−0.062, P ​< ​0.01). CONCLUSIONS: This study broadens the application of tailored communication using novel channels in the context of screening in the at-risk Chinese population. The results provide insights on how to improve the intervention by modifying its components and communication channels.