Determinants of cervical cancer screening uptake among women in Longisa Ward, Bomet-County

Abstract

Objective: To assess the determinants of uptake of cervical cancer screening amongst women in Longisa Ward, Bomet County.
Design: A quantitative cross-sectional study.
Setting: Longisa Ward, Bomet County,Kenya.
Participants: 420 women aged between 25 and 65 and 33 healthcare workers.

Results: The significant determinants for cervical cancer screening uptake were younger age 25-50 years (AOR= 2.62, 95% CI [1.34 – 5.12], p=0.005); post-primary education level (AOR= 2.38, 95% CI [1.34-4.24], p=0.003); being married(AOR= .29, 95% CI [.09-.94], p=0.033); having heard about cervical cancer (AOR= 3.35, 95% CI [1.03-10.95], p=0.045); having heard about cervical cancer screening (AOR= 3.56, 95% CI [1.41-8.96], p=0.007); knowing Pap smear as cervical cancer preventive measure(AOR= 2.44, 95% CI [.85-7.03], p=0.009); knowing that cervical cancer screening is available in the nearest health centre (AOR= 177.5, 95% CI [56.91-553.3], p<0.001); partners encouragement to get screened (AOR= 2.46, 95% CI [1.41 - 4.29], p=0.001); a cultural belief that does not discourage cervical cancer screening (AOR= 1.41, 95% CI [.01 – 2.12], p=0.031); encouragement by religion to get screened (AOR= 1.24, 95% CI [.10 -3.59], p=0.002); preferring a female healthcare provider AOR= 14.65, 95% CI [1.13-190.8] p=0.040); availability of information about cervical cancer screening(AOR= 11.34, 95% CI [2.40 – 53.52] p=0.002) and availability of screening equipment(AOR= 189.5, 95% CI [38.12 – 941.7], p < 0.001).
Conclusion: Age, education, marital status, support from partners' religious and cultural groups, accessibility to screening tools, and preference for female health professionals all had a substantial impact on the use of screening services.