Knowledge and attitude towards cervical cancer screening and associated factors among female Hawassa university college of medicine and health sciences students

Abstract

1.1. Background: Cancer of the cervix is the leading cause of cancer-related death next to breast cancer. Cervical cancer screening is a means for early detection and treatment of the problem before it advances to a later stage. However, cervical cancer screening rate is not satisfactory in many countries including Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitude towards cervical cancer screening and associated factors among female Hawassa University College of Medicine and health sciences students. 1.2. Methods: An institution based cross-sectional study conducted using simple random sampling technique from April1st to 30th 2016. Three hundred eighty female students participated in the study. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression used to describe each variable and to identify the presence of an association between independent variables with outcome variable respectively. Adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval and p-value<0.05 used to determine the association. 1.3. Result: A total of 380 participate in the study with the response rate of 90%. The majority, 202(53.2), of the respondents, belongs to the age group21-23 years old. Two hundred sixteen (56.8%) Knowledgeable and 210(55.3%) had a positive attitude toward cervical cancer screening. Age, year of study, school category, and income significantly associated with knowledge of cervical cancer screening. Age, year of study, religion, knowing Human papillomavirus as a cause for cervical cancer significantly associated with the attitude towards cervical cancer screening. 1.4. Conclusion: Half of the respondents were Knowledgeable and had a positive attitude towards cervical cancer screening. Age, year of study, school category, and income identified as significantly associated factors for knowledge of cervical cancer screening. Age, year of study, religion, knowledge about Human papillomavirus are associated considerably with the attitude towards cervical cancer screening.