Effect of an Educational Intervention on Cervical Cancer Screening Knowledge Among Mothers Receiving Primary Health Care in Rivers State, Nigeria

Although screening services for cervical cancer have been proven to be effective, the lack of knowledge about the importance of screening is a significant challenge for women in Nigeria, especially women attending primary health care facilities. Incorporating health education directly into the routine of maternal child health services could enhance knowledge and enable better decision making about cervical cancer preventative services. This study evaluated the effect of a structured educational intervention on knowledge of cervical cancer screening among mothers bringing their children for Penta1 immunization at selected Primary Health Care facilities in Rivers State, Nigeria. A quasi-experimental one-group pre-test/post-test study was conducted among 500 mothers aged 25–44 years attending 24 selected PHC facilities between October and November 2024. Baseline data were collected using a validated interviewer-administered questionnaire. Participants subsequently received a structured educational intervention comprising interactive lectures, visual presentations, group discussions, and question-and-answer sessions. Knowledge was reassessed one month after the intervention using the same instrument. Descriptive statistics summarized participants' characteristics and knowledge levels, while the Wilcoxon signed-rank test assessed changes in knowledge scores. Effect size was calculated to determine the practical significance of the intervention. Baseline knowledge of cervical cancer screening was generally inadequate. The mean knowledge score increased significantly from 6.70 ± 4.98 before the intervention to 12.33 ± 1.26 after the intervention, representing a mean improvement of 5.63 points (95% CI: 5.18–6.08; p < 0.001). Overall, 397 (79.4%) participants demonstrated improved post-intervention knowledge, while the intervention produced a large educational effect ( r = 0.78). Significant improvements were observed across all assessed knowledge domains, including awareness of cervical cancer, recognition of HPV as the causative agent, knowledge of screening methods, recommended screening intervals, and the benefits of early detection. The structured educational intervention substantially improved knowledge of cervical cancer screening among mothers attending PHC immunization clinics. Integrating routine cervical cancer education into maternal and child health and immunization services within Primary Health Care could strengthen women's knowledge, promote informed health-seeking behaviour, and support Nigeria's progress toward achieving the WHO cervical cancer elimination targets.