ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer is caused by persistent infection with certain types of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV 16 and HPV 18). Cervical cancer starts in a woman’s cervix when healthy cells on the surface of the cervix change and grow out of control. It is easily prevented if identified early and treatment done before the woman start to show symptoms of the disease. Most women with cervical cancer in developing countries are diagnosed at late stages when curative treatments are no longer possible since 2002, the MoHCDGEC has collaborated with the WHO, IARC, and numerous other local and international NGO partners to scale up cervical cancer prevention efforts for Tanzanian women

METHODS: This was a cross sectional study which involved 360 students among the three selected highschools inUyui district in Tabora region. The management and analysis of data was done using SPSS software version 20.The study duration started from September 2021 to November 2021, data was collected by questionares, and the clearance to carry out this study was sought from the joint CUHAS and BMC Research, Ethics and Review committee.

RESULTS: A total of 360 students participated and large percent (95.8%) of participants had already heard about cervical cancer with the major source of information being through media (61.4%) .Still most have poor awareness on age of its occurrence, risk factors, HPV infection (57.8%) and its association to cervical cancer (72.2%). Concerning HPV vaccination very few had heard about it 36.9% and don’t know that it is important to be vaccinated .

CONCLUSION: The current awareness and knowledge on risk factors of cervical cancer among the selected high schools in uyui district in tabora region, is not sufficient and satisfying and should therefore be improved.