Assessing knowledge of cervical cancer and screening practices among female college students in Ilala Municipal council, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

Abstract

Background: Cervical cancer is the leading malignancy among women of reproductive age in Tanzania, with approximately 10,000 new cases and 7,000 deaths reported annually. Although awareness and uptake of screening are essential to accelerate cervical cancer elimination, both remain suboptimal, particularly among young women in Tanzania Objective: This study assessed knowledge of cervical cancer and screening practices among female college students in Ilala Municipal Council, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Methods: A cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted among 203 female students enrolled at the College of Business Education and the Institute of Finance Management in Dar es Salaam. Data were collected between January and February 2024 using a structured, self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential analyses were performed in SPSS, with statistical significance set at p ≤ 0.05 and 95% confidence intervals. Results: Among the 203 participants, only 20.9% demonstrated adequate knowledge of cervical cancer, including its causes, risk factors, symptoms, and preventive measures. While 96.1% (n=195) had heard of cervical cancer, only 37.1% reported having ever undergone screening. Health campaigns were the primary motivator for screening uptake (45.5%), whereas lack of information was the predominant barrier (76%). Conclusion: Despite high awareness of cervical cancer, both depth of knowledge and screening uptake among female college students remain inadequate, with limited access to information identified as a major barrier. Tailored educational interventions targeting young women, particularly those in higher education institutions, are urgently needed to improve knowledge, dispel misconceptions, and increase participation in cervical cancer screening programs.