Role of pre and post interventions on cervical cancer knowledge levels among women students at the University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia

There was an increase in overall awareness about cervical cancer (symptoms, risk factors, screening methods, and vaccination) in all post intervened students compared to baseline knowledge levels (before education intervention) statistically at p<0.001 significance level. The mean age of the study participants was 20.86 years (SD, 1.86). Out of total 283 women student participants, overall baseline awareness about cervical cancer symptoms (81.6%, p<0.002), risk factors (94.8%, p<0.001), HPV (60.6%, p<0.001), screening (84.3%, p<0.001) and HPV vaccines (42.1%, p<0.001) was more in 4th year and above over other respondents. After the intervention, knowledge levels increased in students 3rd and above years over 1st and 2nd-year students irrespective of the branch they belong. Initial awareness on various broad issues was 8.77 and after education intervention, it was 30.39 with mean overall knowledge increase of 21.62. However, baseline awareness was better on risk factors and poor on vaccination. After education intervention, an increase of 246% in overall knowledge about cervical cancer including symptoms, risk factors, HPV, screening and vaccination. Age, year of study, branch of study and family income were the explanatory variables significant on overall baseline knowledge levels and after education intervention, year of study was the only independent variable significant for the overall increase in knowledge levels. Conclusion The present study suggests that educational intervention as the primary preventive method is effective and young trained women volunteers belong both rural and urban areas will be important stakeholder to increase positive attitude to reduce the cervical cancer burden in Ethiopia.