Effect of an Intervention on Knowledge and Awareness of Cervical Cancer among University Students

Abstract

This study was a cross-sectional questionnaire study, where it conducted to analyzed knowledge and awareness among 288 students from Faculty of Health Science, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia aged 18 years old and above using a validated Cancer Awareness Measure (CAM) questionnaire. Participants were divided into two groups which were 144 involved in intervention and 144 as a control group. An intervention in the form of the educational brochure was developed and measures after two weeks from pre-intervention. The data were analyzed using SPSS version-25. In general, most of the participant had moderate to inadequate knowledge and attitudes towards cervical cancer in both groups during pre-intervention. Participant’s knowledge of cervical cancer was comparable at pre-intervention but was significant increases (p < 0.05) at post-intervention in the intervention group compared to the control group for every variable that has been measured. Despite the knowledge and awareness of cervical cancer were increasing, the recommended age for vaccination and Pap smear screening remains low even after the intervention. Hence, it is suggested for the university students to escalate the knowledge regarding the appropriate age for vaccination and screening for cervical cancer.