Utilization of cervical cancer screening services among women living with HIV in Machakos County, Kenya

Abstract

Background: Currently cervical cancer prevention and early detection emphasizes the importance of screening. However, screening  remains low among HIV-positive women as such, factors associated would be impactful.

Objective: To investigate the utilization of  cervical cancer screening services among women living with HIV in Machakos County, Kenya

Design: Analytic cross-sectional study.  

Setting: Four main hospitals in Machakos County Kenya.

Participants: Women of reproductive age, living with HIV and attending Comprehensive Care Clinic (CCC) in the three Machakos county hospitals.

Interventions: Data on social demographics, knowledge,  attitudes, and health system factors were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire and three focus group discussions across three  health facilities.

Main outcome measures: Utilization is defined as receiving screening within the recommended period as per MOH  guidelines, and non-utilization is not receiving .t within this timeframe.

Results: Out of 422 women of reproductive age (18-49  years), living with HIV surveyed, 410 responded (97.16% response rate). Among the respondents, 60.73% had undergone cervical cancer screening within the past 12 months, while 39.27% had not. The mean age was 31.68 (30-40). Knowledgeable individuals (AOR=3.67, 95%  C.I (1.29-6.50) were about 3.67 times more likely to use screening services and that belief in the importance of early screening (AOR = 5.46  95% C. I (2.34-11.67) were about 5.46 times more likely to do so.

Conclusion: This study showed that factors associated with the  utilization of cervical cancer screening services were; being knowledgeable about cervical cancer and having a belief in the importance of  early screening for cervical cancer.