Knowledge and Awareness of Human Papillomavirus Infection and Cervical Cancer Prevention among Female Undergraduate Students in Jos, Nigeria

Background and Objectives: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a prevalent sexually transmitted infection, strongly linked to cervical cancer, a leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women globally, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the knowledge of female undergraduate students at the University of Jos, Nigeria, regarding HPV, cervical cancer, and their prevention.
Materials and Methods: A multi-stage sampling method was employed to select 350 participants, and data were collected using a structured questionnaire covering socio-demographic information, knowledge of HPV infection, its risk factors and prevention, and knowledge of cervical cancer, screening, and prevention.
Results: The findings revealed a low level of HPV awareness, with 72% of respondents never having heard of HPV prior to the study. Knowledge of HPV risk factors (53 %) and prevention (50.6 %) was moderate, while knowledge of cervical cancer was poor (49.9%), its risk factors (38.4 %), individual risk factors (43 %), early symptoms (28.9 %), prevention (49.7 %), and screening (29.7 %) was poor.
Conclusion: These results underscore a critical need for enhanced educational interventions focusing on HPV infection, its causal link to cervical cancer, and available preventive measures, including vaccination, to improve knowledge and uptake of preventive services among university students in Nigeria.

Human papillomavirus, cervical cancer, knowledge, risk factors, prevention, Screening

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