Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of University Students in a Cameroonian State University Regarding Cervical Cancer

Abstract

Background: Cervical cancer (CC) is a major public health problem and a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in Cameroon, where it is the second most common cancer among women. The lack of data on the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of young people regarding this disease justifies the implementation of tailored prevention and screening strategies. The objective of this study was to evaluate the KAP of students from the University of Yaoundé II concerning CC. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from December 6 to 8, 2016, among male and female students at the University of Yaoundé II. Sampling was non-probabilistic and based on a consecutive and exhaustive recruitment of volunteers. An anonymous, self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on participants’ KAP. Results: The study included 136 participants, comprising 70 men and 66 women. The majority (81.0%, 95% CI: [74.1 - 87.9]) of participants had heard of CC. Less than half (43.4%, 95% CI: [35.1 - 51.7]) knew that the human papillomavirus (HPV) was the cause, and 52.2% (95% CI: [43.8 - 60.6]) were aware of the existence of a vaccine. A high proportion of participants (91.2%, 95% CI: [86.4 - 96.0]) considered modern medicine as the treatment of choice, while only 3.7% preferred traditional medicine. Conclusion: Despite a high level of awareness, significant gaps persist regarding the causes, prevention methods, and screening for CC among students at the University of Yaoundé II. Targeted awareness efforts are necessary to improve knowledge of HPV, vaccination, and screening practices, in order to reduce the burden of the disease in Cameroon.