Impact of a University-Based Women’s Health Education Event on Student Awareness of Women’s Health

Background Women face unique health challenges that are often compounded by gaps in reproductive and preventive health knowledge. Women’s Health Day (WHD), a single-day university-based event, was developed to provide women’s health education while facilitating access to preventive health.Purpose To evaluate the effectiveness of WHD in improving students’ awareness of women’s health topics.Methods Participants (n = 340) rotated through interactive educational tables addressing women’s health topics and were provided with free health services and products. Pre- and post-event questionnaires assessed self-reported awareness of ten health topics using a 5-point Likert scale.Results Awareness significantly increased across all topics, including contraception, STIs, breast and cervical cancer screening, menstrual health, reproductive anatomy, and mental health (p < .001). Baseline awareness was lowest for breast and cervical cancer screening, which showed the greatest post-event increases. Sixty-one participants received preventative services and 259 received health products.Discussion This study supports the use of WHD as an efficient strategy for promoting women’s health awareness and preventative health behaviors.Translation to Health Education Practice Similar programming may be implemented by health educators in university and community settings to enhance women’s health education and improve access to preventive care.