Patient-Related Factors Influencing Uptake of Cervical Cancer Screening Services among Outpatient HIV-Positive Women at PCEA Chogoria Hospital, Tharaka-Nithi, Keny

Abstract

Cancer of the cervix is the leading gynecological malignancy in women and the most prevalent cancer among HIV-positive women. HIV-positive women have up to six times higher risk of contracting cervical cancer as compared to HIV-negative women. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that sexually active girls and women should start screening for cervical cancer as soon as they are diagnosed with HIV. However, studies conducted in most developing countries, including Kenya, have established a low uptake of CCS services among this population. The purpose of this study was to determine patient-related factors influencing cervical cancer screening (CCS) uptake among women living with HIV (WLHIV) in PCEA Chogoria Hospital, Tha raka-Nithi County, Kenya. A cross-sectional descriptive survey design was used. A total of 130 WLHIV were recruited into the study using convenient sampling technique. Data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire and was analyzed using both descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. Chi-square tests were used to establish the association between patient-related factors and screening for cervical cancer. The findings of the study revealed that 79% of the WLHIV had screened for cervical cancer. Most of the WLHIV screened for cervical cancer as a personal initiative or after recommendation by a health care worker. Patient-related factors such as level of education, age, marital status, partner support, and religion significantly (p < 0.05) influ enced the likelihood of the WLHIV screening for cervical cancer. The study recommends that health care workers should continually initiate and support CCS to WLHIV because this modality appeared to greatly increase the uptake of CCS. Moreover, health care workers should encourage partner support for CCS. Policy formulators can use the information as a guide in formulating policies that will enhance uptake of CCS among WLHIV