Knowledge and practice towards Cervical Cancer prevention, and its associated factors among female students of Mizan-Tepi University, southwest Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Cervical cancer is preventable and often curable when detected early. Awareness and preventive practices among young women, including university students, are essential. Yet, few studies have examined knowledge and practices related to cervical cancer prevention among Ethiopian women, particularly in this setting. This study aimed to assess knowledge, preventive practices, and associated factors towards cervical cancer.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out at Mizan-Tepi University, southwest Ethiopia, between January and February 2020. Using a two-stage cluster sampling method, to select 715 female students. Data were collected through a pretested, self-administered questionnaire. Binary and multivariable logistic regression analyses were applied to identify factors influencing knowledge and practices related to cervical cancer prevention. Associations were determined by using adjusted odds ratios (AOR) with 95% confidence intervals, and statistical significance was declared at p <0.05.

Result: The study found that 31.4% of participants demonstrated good knowledge, while 13.5% reported good practice in cervical cancer prevention. Knowledge was strongly influenced by the college attended (AOR = 34.91; 95% CI: 21.03–57.96) and prior screening experience (AOR = 3.49; 95% CI: 1.52–8.01). Good practice was linked to awareness of HPV transmission (AOR = 3.68; 95% CI: 1.60–8.47), understanding the recommended age for screening (AOR = 0.07; 95% CI: 0.01–0.34), and knowledge of screening frequency (AOR = 2.63; 95% CI: 1.03–6.70).

Conclusion: Most study participants had poor knowledge and practice towards cervical cancer prevention. Colleges, previous cervical cancer screening experience were found to be associated with student’s knowledge. Knowing how HPV infection is acquired and knowing the age and frequency of cervical cancer screening were found predictors of overall cervical cancer prevention practice.