Knowledge Level of Cervical Cancer Screening and Screening Methods among Women Aged 21-50 Years in Meru South District, Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya
Abstract
The cervical cancer ranks as the first cause of female cancer and the first most common female cancer in women. It is also the first leading cause of cancer deaths in women aged 15 to 44 years in Kenya. Despite the introduction of cervical cancer screening and control programmes in Kenya, the burden of cervical cancer is still high. This study therefore sought to determine the knowledge level of cervical cancer screening and screening methods among women aged 21-50 years in Meru South District, Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya. A cross-sectional descriptive study composing of 40 women aged between 20 and 50 years was carried out. An interview guide was used to collect data which was transcribed to Microsoft Excel 2017 Software. The findings indicated that awareness of cervical cancer as a disease was overwhelmingly high at 90%. As well, 75% of the women knew that it is quite possible to prevent development of the debilitating cervical cancer. However, specific content knowledge of cervical cancer and screening, which is critical, was annoyingly low despite the tremendous efforts of cervical cancer awareness creation. To mention but a few, only 10 women (25%) were able to identify true risk factors of cervical cancer with only 5% (2) identifying two precise risk factors. Only 30% were able to highlight a Pap smear and HPV test as tests for cervical cancer. The cause of cervical cancer (human papilloma virus) was only identified by 17.5% (7) of the respondents. The study concluded that mere awareness of existence of cervical cancer did not translate to higher uptake rate. Many women in Tharaka Nithi County have no specific knowledge about cervical cancer. Therefore, a lot has to be done to counter the hindrances to utilization of screening services. There is need to enhance the health education with regards to cervical cancer and cervical cancer screening. More should be done on informing the public/general women population through social platforms, barazas, media, etc., about cervical cancer cause, mode of transmission, prevention, risk factors, treatment modalities and possible complications. This action will promote one’s decision to go for screening since she is fully informed.
Keywords: Knowledge level, cervical cancer screening, screening methods
References
American Cancer Society. (2014). Cervical Cancer Prevention and Early Detection. Retrieved from www.cancer.org.
Arbyn, M., Weiderpass, E., Bruni, L., de Sanjosé, S., Saraiya, M., Ferlay, J., & Bray, F. (2020). Estimates of incidence and mortality of cervical cancer in 2018: a worldwide analysis. The Lancet Global Health, 8(2), e191-e203.
Assoumou S.Z., Mabika B.M., Mbiguino A.N., Mustapha M., Khatabi A. & Ennaji M.M. (2015). Awareness and Knowledge Regarding Cervical Cancer, Pap Smear Screening and Human Papillomavirus Infection in Gabonese women. BMC Women’s Health, 15, 37. Doi: 10.1186/512905-015-0193-2.
Aswathy S., Amin Q.M., Kurian B. & Leelamoni K. (2012). Cervical Cancer Screening: Current Knowledge & Practice among Women in a rural population of Kerala, India. Indian J Med Res, 136(2), 205- 210.
Bayu H., Berhe Y., Mulat A., Alemu A (2016). Cervical Cancer Screening uptake & Associated Factors among Age Eligible Women in Mekelle Zone, Ethiopia, 2015: A Community Based study using the Health Belief Model. PLoS ONE, 11(3), e0149908. Doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0149908.
Boardman C.H (Ed. Warner K.H). (2014). Cervical Cancer: Practice Essentials, Background, & Pathophysiology. Medscape. Retrieved from http:// www.emedicine.medscape.com/article/253513-Overview.
Bruni L, Barrionuevo-Rosas L, Albero G, Aldea G, Serrano B, Valencia S, Brotons M, Mena M, Cosano R, Munoz J, Bosch FX, de Sanjose S, Castellsague X. (2016). ICO Information Centre on HPV and Cancer (HPV Information Centre): Human Papillomavirus and Related Diseases in the World. Summary Report. [Accessed on 3rd March 2021]
Ebu N.I., Mupepi S.C., Siakwa M.P. & Sampselle C.M. (2015). Knowledge, Practice and Barriers towards Cervical Cancer Screening in Elmina, southern Ghana. International Journal of Women’s Health, 7, 31-39. http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/ijwh.s71797.
Eze J.N., Umeora O.U., Obuna J.A., Egwatu V.E. & Ejikemere B.N. (2012). Cervical Cancer Awareness and Screening uptake at the Mater Mission Hospital, Nigeria. Ann. Med., 11, 238- 243. Doi: 10.4103/1596-3519.102856.
HPV Information Centre (2015). Kenya| Human Papillomavirus and Related Cancers, Fact Sheet. [Accessed 19 February 2016] at http:// www.hpvcentre.net/statistics/.../KEN.pdf.
ICO/IARC HPV Information Centre (2018). Kenya Human Papillomavirus and Related Cancers, Fact Sheet 2018. ICO/IARC Information Centre on HPV and Cancer. Available at https://hpvcentre.net. Accessed on 2nd March 2021.
Idowu A., Anu O.S., Fagbemi T.A. & Oginiaja O.A. (2016). Determinants of Screening uptake among Women in Ilorin, Nigeria: A community based study. Journal of cancer Epidemiology. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/6469240.
Kumar H.N Harsha & Shubham Tanya. (2014). A study on Knowledge & Screening for Cervical Cancer among Women in Mangalore city. Ann Med Health Sci Res., 4 (5), 751 -756. Doi: 10.4103/2141-9248.141547.
Morema, E. N., Atieli, H. E., Onyango, R. O., Omondi, J. H., & Ouma, C. (2014). Determinants of cervical screening services uptake among 18–49 year old women seeking services at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital, Kisumu, Kenya. BMC health services research, 14(1), 1-7.
NCCP. National Cervical Cancer Prevention Program: Strategic Plan 2012- 2015. In: services KMoPHaSaMoH, editor. Nairobi, Kenya.
Nwozor C.M. & Oragudosi A.L. (2013). Awareness and Uptake of Cervical Cancer Screening among women in Onitsha, South East, Nigeria. Greener Journal of Medical Sciences, 3(8), 283-288.
Ombechi Elizabeth A., Muigai Anne. W.T. & Wanzala Peter. (2012). Awareness of Cervical Cancer Risk Factors and practice of pap smear testing among female primary school teachers in Kasarani division, Nairobi, Kenya. African Journal of Health sciences, 21 (2), 121-132.
Owoeye I.O.G. & Ibrahim I.A. (2013). Knowledge and Attitude towards Cervical Cancer Screening among Female Students and Staff in a tertiary institution in the Niger Delta. Int. J Med Biomed Res, 2(1), 48-56. Doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.14194/ijmbr.219.
Roxanne Nelson. (2013). Cervical Cancer Screening with Vinegar Reduces Mortality. Retrieved from https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/805181
Sung, H., Ferlay, J., Siegel, R. L., Laversanne, M., Soerjomataram, I., Jemal, A., & Bray, F. (2021). Global cancer statistics 2020: GLOBOCAN estimates of incidence and mortality worldwide for 36 cancers in 185 countries. CA: a cancer journal for clinicians.
Urasa M. & Darj E. (2011). Knowledge of Cervical Cancer and Screening Practices among Nurses at a Regional Hospital in Tanzania. Afr Health Sci, 11(1), 48-57.
WHO. (2015). Cancer Fact sheet 297. Retrieved from http:// www.int/mediacentre/Factsheets/Fs297/en.
WHO. (2016). Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer Fact sheet. Accessed 15/07/2016 at http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs380/en/.
Wong LP, Wong YL, Khoo EM. & Shuib R. (2009). Knowledge and Awareness of Cervical Cancer and Screening among Malaysian women who have never had a pap smear: A qualitative study. Singapore Med J 50(1), 49-53. Doi: 10.1080/10705500802365490.
