Knowledge and Perception Towards Cervical Cancer among Female Debre Berhan University Students

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer is a global public health problem with around five hundred thirty thousand new cases and two hundred sixty five thousand deaths annually in 2015. Risky behaviors, lack of knowledge and preventative measures in young women, increase the risks of cervical cancer later in life. Up to date, there is scarcity of study on level of knowledge and perception towards cervical cancer among young women in Ethiopia. So, this study was aimed to determine the level of knowledge and perception toward cervical cancer among female regular undergraduate Debre Berhan University students. METHODS: A facility based cross-sectional study was conducted using self-administered questionnaire among female regular DBU students from May to June, 2015. Two stage cluster sampling technique was used for the study. Data was entered and cleaned in Epi info and imported to SPSS for analysis. Binary logistic regression was carried out to determine factors of good knowledge on cervical cancer. P-value less than 0.05 was considered for statistical significance. RESULTS: Eighty-four (14.5%) of the study participants were sexually active. Of the participants, 232(40.5%) had heard of cervical cancer but only 195 (35.6%) had good knowledge towards cervical cancer and of the study participants, only 185 (33.2%) perceived as they are susceptible for cervical cancer. Using radio and TV as source of information [AOR= 1.918 (95% CI: 1.223, 3.010)], having information about sexually transmitted infections (STI) [AOR =3.030 (95% CI: 1.665, 5.514)] were significantly and independently associated with good knowledge on cervical cancer. CONCLUSIONS: The level of knowledge towards cervical cancer and perception of acquiring the disease was poor. Health education interventions are needed to improve the awareness and health seeking behavior in youth women thereby preventing cervical cancer related morbidity and mortality.