Individual Attributes Influencing Cervical Cancer Screening Services in Selected Health Facilities in Machakos County
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Date
2018
Authors
Nzioka, Agnes Wavinya
Akunga, Daniel Nyagetiria
Wanyoro, Anthony Karanja
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
science publishing group
Abstract
In Kenya, 51.2% of estimated women population of 11 million aged 15 years and older are at risk of developing
cervical cancer. Research shows that screening a woman even once between the ages of 35 and 40 years reduces her lifetime
risk of cervical cancer by 25–36%. However, the effective cervical cancer screening in developing countries is as low as
18.5%. Low levels of utilization of Cervical Cancer Screening Services (CCSS) among health care workers have been
documented. This study sought to determine the utilization of cervical cancer screening services by healthcare workers
(HCWs) in selected health facilities in Machakos County. It was also thought imperative to determine individual HCW
attributes influencing utilization of cervical cancer screening services in selected health care facilities in the county. The study
adopted a descriptive cross-sectional study design involving 271 female health workers drawn from all the level 4 and level 5
facilities within the county. Respondents were stratified according to level of facility and according to their cadres. Data was
collected via self-administered questionnaires and a facility assessment tool. Data analysis used SPSS version 21. Association
was subjected to binary logistic regression. Only 25% of HCWs had utilized cervical cancer screening services. HCWs who
had certificate (OR = 0.05, p-value < 0.01), diploma (OR = 0.04, p-value < 0.01) and degrees (OR = 0.09, p-value = 0.01) were
less likely to utilize CCSS as compared to HWCs who had attained graduate studies or higher. Also health workers aged 30
years and below (OR = 0.12, p-value = 0.01) and those aged between 31 and 40 years (OR = 0.30, p-value = 0.05) were less
likely to utilize CCSS as compared to healthcare workers who were aged more than 50 years. The study recommends
establishment of tailor-made sensitization programs on young female health care worker aimed at increasing their uptake of
CCSS services among these group.
Description
article
Keywords
Cervical Cancer, Cervical Cancer Screening Services, Female Healthcare Workers, Individual Attributes
Citation
Agnes Wavinya Nzioka, Akunga Daniel Nyagetiria, Wanyoro Anthony Karanja. Individual Attributes Influencing Cervical Cancer Screening Services in Selected Health Facilities in Machakos County. Journal of Cancer Treatment and Research. Vol. 6, No. 1, 2018, pp. 1-6. doi: 10.11648/j.jctr.20180601.11