Level of knowledge toward human papillomavirus/cervical cancer & practice of Papanicolaou test screening among female Addis Ababa university students in Ethiopia

Cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among Ethiopian women. This is despite the fact that cervical cancer is preventable through increased awareness, early screening and vaccination. There is a lack of data on knowledge about Human Papillomavirus (HPV)/cervical cancer and the practice of Papanicolaou (Pap) test screening among women in Ethiopia. The present study was carried with the aim to assess the level of knowledge towards HPV/cervical cancer/Pap test and the practice of Pap test screening among female Addis Ababa University (AAU) students. A cross-sectional survey was conducted from December 2012-February 2013 at the AAU. Data were collected from a representative sample of 406 participants using self-administered questionnaires that consisted 37 items. Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) software, version 18 was employed for data entry and analysis. Among the respondents (392, mean age 23.28 years) most were single (84.2%) and undergraduates (83.6%). Only 18.2% of the students reported to be sexually active, of which 54.9% use condom. About two-third (66.8%) have never heard of HPV and only 46.5% have heard about cervical cancer. More than half did not know the risk factors of HPV infection, its mode of transmission or its long-term effect. Only 5.2% had Pap test done of whom 93.7% did not have a friend, a partner or a family member to accompany them. Most (73.8%) do not discuss cervical cancer/ Pap test with their family. Of those who had Pap test, most (31.6%) had it at 25 years or older. Most of the respondents (66.8%) reported that no one encouraged them to have Pap test. Close to half of the students (40-48%) do not consider lack of health service facility in their area, bad attitude of doctors/nurses or cost to be a barrier for having Pap test. There are significant associations between knowledge toward HPV infection/cervical cancer or social support and the responses to the need for Pap test practice or use of condoms. The data shows that level of knowledge towards HPV/cervical cancer is low among AAU female students. This study provides insight to help design public health policies and education that address HPV/cervical cancer and the practice of Pap tests in Ethiopia.