Background: Cancer of the uterine cervix is the second big cause of female mortality worldwide about 510.000 cases of cervical cancer are reported each year with nearly 80% in developing countries.Cervical cancer account for about 16.2% of all cancers among Sudanese women and is the second cause of death after breast cancers. A large number about 78% of women present with stage III or IV. Nurses as primary source of health education for their patients and public, can play a critical role in cervical cancer prevention and management, high awareness in methods of cervical cancer prevention among nurses is of a vital importance.

Aim of study: To evaluate the effectiveness of structured teaching program on knowledge and practice of nurses regarding prevention of cervical cancer and role of nurse in prevention.

Material and methods: The research design was quasi experimental study conducted in National Ribat teaching hospital at the gynecology department in Khartoum state from (2016-2017). The total coverage method used to lay down the sample which it was (50) staff nurses Data was collected by using a questionnaire (to measure the knowledge) and checklist (to measure the practice) and was analyzed by using Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS version 20).

Results: The study showed significant differences (P<0.05) found in knowledge of staff nurses between the pre and post structured teaching program About (58%) of staff nurses displayed correct answers regarding the risk factors of cervical cancer before attending the program, while after the program(82%) of them displayed it correctly. Regarding the Pap smear test definition and cervical screening methods (46%) of staff nurses gave correct answers before attending the program in contrast after the program (94%) of them gave correct answers. (44%) of the staff nurses answered correctly about the role of nurses in prevention of cervical cancer by health education before attending the program, while (88 %) of them answered correctly after attending the program. Also the study showed significant differences found (P<0.05) in practical skills of staff nurses between pre and post structured teaching program, Most of staff nurses (80%) after program demonstrated correct practices related to preparation and assisted in Pap smear procedure. Before the program (54%) of staff nurses performed counseling in system to be followed in doing Pap smear correctly but after program most of them (90%) performed it in right way.

Conclusion: The study concluded that structured teaching program had a significant impact related to the improvement of the staff nurses knowledge and practical skills post application of the program.

Recommendation: The study recommended that encourage training and continuous professional educational programs to staff nurses and to update nurses knowledge and practice in prevention of cervical cancer.