The Impact of a Community-Based Participatory Intervention on Colorectal Cancer Health Literacy Among Middle-Aged Adults: A Field Trial Study

Background and Aim: Health literacy is critical for preventing chronic diseases like colorectal cancer. This study evaluated the impact of a community-based participatory research (CBPR) intervention on colorectal cancer health literacy among middle-aged adults. Methods: This interventional pre-test/post-test study was conducted in 2023 in a Comprehensive Health Services Center in Mashhad, Iran. A total of 64 adults aged 40–59 years were randomized into intervention (n=31) and control (n=33) groups. The 5-week intervention included educational workshops, counseling, materials distribution, and follow-up. Data were collected using the European Health Literacy Survey (HLS-EU) and analyzed with t-tests and two-way ANOVA. Results: Post-intervention, the intervention group’s mean health literacy score (103.13±13.43) was significantly higher than the control group’s (89.12±14.74) (P<0.05). Significant improvements occurred in healthcare (P<0.05) and health promotion (P<0.03) domains, but not in disease prevention (P=0.23). Conclusion: The CBPR intervention enhanced health literacy in healthcare and health promotion, offering a scalable model for resource-constrained settings. Longer interventions are needed to impact disease prevention.