Factors affecting uptake of cervical cancer early detection measures among women in Thika, Kenya.
In this study, 50 in-depth interviews were carried out with women from the general population in Thika, Kenya. We explored awareness, attitudes, and behavior toward cervical cancer and screening measures among the women. The concept of the health belief model (HBM) was used to develop the topics for the in-depth interviews. Our findings highlight the lack of awareness of cervical cancer and the benefits of early detection measures as critical barriers that affect women's participation in screening programs. We provide a basis for designing programs that will be acceptable and accessible to a larger population, resulting in a reduced cervical cancer burden.
Department of Microbiology, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya. carocarey@yahoo.com
Caroline Wangari
CW
Ngugi
Hamadi
H
Boga
Anne W T
AW
Muigai
Peter
P
Wanzala
John N
JN
Mbithi
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007630:Kenya; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult