Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices, and Perceived Risk of Cervical Cancer Among Kenyan Women: Brief Report

Abstract

OBJECTIVES Eastern Africa has the highest incidence and mortality rates from cervical cancer worldwide. It is important to describe the differences among women and their perceived risk of cervical cancer in order to determine target groups to increase cervical cancer screening. METHOD In this cross-sectional study we surveyed women seeking reproductive health services in Kisumu, Kenya to assess their perceived risk of cervical cancer and risk factors influencing cervical cancer screening uptake. Chi-square statistics and t-tests were used to determine significant factors, which were incorporated into a logistic model to determine factors independently associated with cervical cancer risk perception. RESULTS While 91% of the surveyed women had heard of cancer, only 29% of the 388 surveyed women had previously heard of cervical cancer. The majority had received their information from healthcare workers. Few women (6%) had ever been screened for cervical cancer and cited barriers such as fear, time, and lacking knowledge about cervical cancer. Nearly all previously screened women (22/24, 92%) believed that cervical cancer was curable if detected early, and that screening should be conducted annually (86%). Most women (254/388, 65%) felt they were at risk for cervical cancer. Women with perceived risk of cervical cancer were older (OR=1.06, 95% CI 1.02, 1.10), reported a history of marriage (OR=2.08, CI 1.00, 4.30), were less likely to feel adequately informed about cervical cancer by healthcare providers (OR= 0.76, CI 0.18, 0.83) and more likely to intend to have cervical cancer screening in the future (OR= 10.59, CI 3.96, 28.30). Only 5% of women reported that they would not be willing to undergo screening, regardless of cost. Conclusions Cervical cancer is a major health burden for women in sub-Saharan Africa, yet only one-third of women had ever heard of cervical cancer in Kisumu, Kenya. Understanding factors associated with women’s perceived risk of cervical cancer could guide future educational and clinical interventions to increase cervical cancer screening.

Perception and risk factors for cervical cancer among women in northern Ghana

“…Nonetheless, our study is consistent with other studies done in Africa demonstrating low levels of knowledge regarding cervical cancer on the continent 18, 24 We found a significant relationship between risk perception and education and a positive correlation between both variables. This is not surprising, since it will be expected that more education will be associated with better knowledge about cancer and its risks.…”

“…Perceived risk was also significantly associated with knowledge of risk factors and willingness to screen which was consistent with data in existing literature. 24 Notable among our findings was the fact that the higher a woman perceived her risk to be -even when she underestimated that risk -the higher her actual risk for cervical cancer was, based on objective factors. Perception of risk was also significantly related to willingness to be screened, which is consistent with existing data that establishes significance between perceived personal risk and the need for screening.…”

“…While it may be logical to assume that these two factors are directly related, a similar study conducted in Kenya 24 using women with similar low levels of knowledge on the disease, reported that majority of the Kenyan women thought themselves at relatively high risk of cervical cancer. Nonetheless, our study is consistent with other studies done in Africa demonstrating low levels of knowledge regarding cervical cancer on the continent 18, 24 We found a significant relationship between risk perception and education and a positive correlation between both variables.…”

Effectiveness of Planned Teaching Programme on Knowledge Regarding Cervical Cancer Among Women”.

“…Programs also face shortages of equipment, trained personnel, and clinic and laboratory space, which result in delays in service provision and a general lack of screening coverage on the population level [11].…”

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Cervical Cancer Screening among Somali Women in an Urban Settlement in Kenya

“…It detects pre-cancer cells in the early stages when it can be treated, and thus may reduce the number of deaths which occur due to cervical cancer. Although screening services are available in Kenya, many women do not go for screening and mortality rate due to cervical cancer is still high [13]. In one study it was reported that only 12.3% Kenyan women went for cervical cancer screening [14].…”