Menopause Knowledge Level and Myth Beliefs

Study Type

This study is designed as a randomized controlled trial.

Aim of the Study

This study aims to compare the effects of traditional PowerPoint and Pecha Kucha presentation methods on menopause knowledge and awareness of menopause myths among women in Türkiye.

Study Population and Sample

The study will be conducted online across Türkiye. Participants will be recruited via an Instagram announcement, and educational sessions will be delivered through Google Meet. Women who voluntarily apply through the online registration form and meet the eligibility criteria will be included.

Sample size was calculated using G*Power version 3.1.9.3. Since no similar study examining the effects of PowerPoint and Pecha Kucha presentation methods on menopause knowledge and awareness of menopause myths was identified in the literature, a large effect size was assumed (Cohen's d = 0.70) (Cohen, 1992). Based on a significance level of α = 0.05 and statistical power of 80% (1-β = 0.80), the minimum sample size was calculated as 72 participants, with 36 participants allocated to each group.

Randomization and Blinding

Eligible participants will be assigned independent identification codes by a researcher not involved in data analysis. Randomization will be performed using the "List Randomizer" tool on Random.org with a 1:1 allocation ratio. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the Pecha Kucha (P-K) group or the PowerPoint (PPT) group.

Participants will be informed that a menopause-related educational study is being conducted but will not be informed about the Pecha Kucha method before allocation. Outcome data will be analyzed by an independent statistician blinded to group assignments.

Intervention Pecha Kucha Group (P-K)

Participants in the P-K group will receive menopause education through the Pecha Kucha presentation format consisting of 20 slides displayed for 20 seconds each (total duration: 6 minutes and 40 seconds). The presentation will include highly visual materials with minimal text.

PowerPoint Group (PPT)

Participants in the PPT group will receive the same educational content using a traditional PowerPoint presentation format. The session will consist of approximately 30 slides and last 30-35 minutes.

Both groups will be trained by the same educator in separate online sessions. Educational content will include:

Definition and physiology of menopause Hormonal changes during menopause Vasomotor, urogenital, and psychosocial symptoms Common menopause myths and misconceptions Effects of myths on women's health and quality of life Evidence-based menopause information Healthy lifestyle behaviors during menopause Data Collection Procedure

Online questionnaires will be completed immediately before and after the educational intervention. Data collection will be conducted via Google Meet in a single-session format, and completion of the forms will require approximately 10-15 minutes.

Statistical Analysis

Data will be analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 25.0. Descriptive statistics will be presented as frequencies, percentages, mean, and standard deviation. Normality will be assessed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Within-group pretest-posttest comparisons will be analyzed using paired samples t-tests, while between-group differences will be assessed using independent samples t-tests. Non-parametric equivalents (Wilcoxon signed-rank test and Mann-Whitney U test) will be used for non-normally distributed data. Statistical significance will be accepted at p < 0.05.

Ethical Considerations

Ethical approval will be obtained from the Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa University Human Research Ethics Committee. Written and verbal informed consent will be obtained from all participants prior to data collection. Participant confidentiality will be maintained, and personal data will be used solely for research purposes. Participants may withdraw from the study at any stage without penalty. The study will be conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki.

Inclusion criteria

• Being between 30 and 65 years of age (the lower age limit of 30 years was determined to establish a methodological threshold between young adulthood, in which menopause perception has not yet developed, and the menopausal transition period)
• Being female
• Volunteering to participate in the study
• Not having previously received education about menopause
• Being able to use technological devices
• Being able to understand Turkish

Exclusion criteria

• Being outside the 30-65 age range
• Having a history of prior menopause-related education or formal training
• Having cognitive, psychiatric, or medical conditions that could impair the ability to understand and complete the study procedures or questionnaires