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Effectiveness of Using Mobile Health Technology in Colorectal Cancer Screening Uptake

NCT06192862 · Status: COMPLETED · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 500

Last updated 2026-06-03

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

In Hong Kong, colorectal cancer (CRC) ranked second in both cancer incidence and mortality.

The fecal immunochemical test (FIT) helps reduce the incidence and mortality of CRC and is widely used for population-based CRC screening. The government-subsidized CRC screening program was launched in Hong Kong as a pilot in 2015 and fully implemented in 2020. The program was subsidized for asymptomatic Hong Kong residents, aged 50-75 years, to receive FIT screening every two years. A subsidized follow-up colonoscopy was offered for a positive FIT result. For a negative FIT result, the participant was advised to repeat the screening two years later.

Despite the subsidy and promotion, the uptake rate of the population-based colorectal cancer screening was low. Only 275,000 (\~10%) underwent FIT screening under this program as of 31st December 2021.

Similar to colonoscopy screening outreach, FIT screening can be done by providing contact information with primary care physicians located in the subject's preferred district via mobile messenger-based chatbots to arrange it. Chatbots have already proven to be useful in increasing the intention to vaccinate against COVID-19.

Moreover, CRC screening uptake is highly associated with Health Belief Model (HBM) constructs and high risk perception of developing CRC is associated with higher screening uptake rate. HBM-based education and Trans-Theoretical Model (TTM)-based personalized risk assessment of CRC may increase the screening uptake rate by improving their knowledge of CRC screening (in terms of susceptivity, perceived benefits, and cues to actions) and informing subjects that they are at a relatively higher risk of developing CRC.

Therefore, we will develop a theory-based mobile messenger-initiated chatbot and conduct a randomized controlled trial to evaluate its performance in improving the CRC screening uptake when compared to standard text reminders.

Conditions

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Assessment of screening intention and Transtheoretical Model stages for CRC screening

Screening Intentions will be measured by asking the subject, ""How much do you agree or disagree: I am intending to have colon cancer screening within the next 6 months". Subjects who "strongly disagrees" or "somewhat disagrees" are considered not having screening intention. Subjects who "somewhat agrees" or "strongly agrees" are considered having screening intention. For subjects who has screening intention, they will be asked if they have plan to arrange a consultation with primary care physician to collect FIT kits in next 3 months.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Chinese University of Hong Kong

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Masking
NONE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
50 Years
Max Age
75 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2024-07-01
Primary Completion
2025-01-31
Completion
2025-11-30

Countries

  • Hong Kong

Study Locations

More Related Trials

Entities

Diseases

Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT06192862 on ClinicalTrials.gov