Factors Associated with Pre- and Post-Educational Intervention Knowledge Levels of HPV and Cervical Cancer Among the Male and Female University Students, Northwest Ethiopia.

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections are sexually transmitted and most frequently associated with cervical cancer in women, but they are also a public health concern in men. There is rising evidence that HPV's role in other cancers, such as anal, vulva, vaginal, penis, head, and neck cancers. The present study aimed to understand the factors associated with HPV and cervical cancer knowledge levels of university students before and after an educational intervention.

Methods: An Institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted from October to November 2018. A total of 638 study participants were selected using a simple random multistage sampling technique. A pretested questionnaire was used, consolidated the data, and analyzed with SPSS version 23. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify which variables were associated with the knowledge levels.

Results: Six hundred thirty-eight study participants with a 100% response rate, and the mean age was 21.07 years (±SD, 1.96). Initial awareness of various broad categories was 4.09, and after the intervention, it increased to 23.4, with an average increase of 19.31 at 99% CI, p≤0.001 significance level. Before the educational intervention, students with <21 years of age [6.16, 95% CI: (2.21-17.18)] and ≤2.5 CGPA [3.44, 95% CI: (1.51-7.81)] were less knowledgeable over other counterparts. After educational intervention, the year of study was significantly associated with increased knowledge of overall and different broad categories of cervical cancer and HPV. Year of study, 1st-year students [AOR: 0.27, 95% CI: (0.14-0.51)] over third years and above are less knowledgeable. First-year students and CGPA ≤2.5 were less improved awareness over others.

Conclusion: The educational intervention improved more than fourfold increase knowledge on cervical cancer and HPV, and the year of study was a key factor associated with overall improvement. This study suggests that educational intervention effectively strengthens our understanding of the spread of HPV and cervical cancer disease burden.