Original Research Article
Year: 2022 | Month: July | Volume: 12 | Issue: 7 | Pages: 93-102
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20220713
Determinants of Cervical Cancer Screening Utilization Among Women of Reproductive Age in Machakos County, Kenya
Henry Kilemi Mitheu1, Rose Ndila Mutuku1
1Machakos Cancer Care and Research Center, Machakos level 5 Hospital, P.O Box 1223 – 90100, Machakos, Kenya.
Corresponding Author:Henry Kilemi Mitheu
ABSTRACT
Background: Cancer of the cervix is currently the second most occurring cancer in Kenya for women and it is also the first most occurring carcinoma in ladies of reproductive age, yet it can be recognized early and be stopped from advancing further.
Objective: To determine client related factors affecting cervical cancer screening utilization among women of reproductive age in Machakos county, Kenya.
Methodology: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study using quantitative method. A questionnaire was used to collect data. The sample size was 202 respondents. Stratified simple random sampling was used to select the study participants. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 24.
Results: Majority of the respondents, 53% (n=53) were between age 26-35 years with a mean age of 30 years. Single women are five times less likely to utilize cancer screening services compared to married women [ OR= 5.143, 95% CI: (2.249-11.763), P<0.001]. Women with university education were ten more times likely to utilize cancer screening services compared to women with informal education [OR=10.5, 95% CI: (1.161-94.925), P=0.036]. Women from the rural part of the county had a lower chance to utilize cancer screening services compared to women from urban area [OR=0.402, 95% CI: (0.22-0.734), P=0.003]. Women who are self-employed [OR=7.213, p<0.001] had seven times increased chance to utilize cancer screening services compared to casual laborers. Over half of the respondents, 56.4% (n=114) reported that cervical cancer screening services were affordable. Majority, 57.4% (n=116) of the respondents had not been screened for the cervical cancer.
Conclusion: There is low utilization of cervical cancer screening services in Machakos County at 42%. Patients factors such age, marital status, education level and area of residence had an impact on the utilization of the cervical cancer screening services.
Key words: Cervical cancer; Cervical cancer Screening; Women of reproductive age.