Effect of a Health Communication Strategy on Uptake of Cervical Cancer Screening in Isiolo County, Kenya
Loading...
Date
2023
Authors
Linus, Agnes Muthoni
Wanyoro, Anthony
Gitahi, Mary Muiruri
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Canadian Center of Science and Education
Abstract
Background: To assess the effect of a health communication strategy on women’s community-level uptake of
cervical cancer screening in Isiolo County.
Purpose: to determine the effect of a health communication strategy on women’s community-level uptake of
cervical cancer screening in Isiolo County.
Methodology: The study adopted a community-based cluster randomized trial design. Multi-stage sampling was
used to derive the sample size. There were 444 women overall, varying in age from 15 to 65 years. Community
Health Volunteers disseminated health information to the intervention arm of study and referred participants to
link health facilities for screening. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. The
research was done between February and August of 2022.
Findings: At baseline, the study findings showed that 18.2% of respondents had ever been screened. Reasons for
not screening included: fear (12%); feeling healthy (17%) among others. At post-intervention, the cervical cancer
screening uptake among the respondents in the intervention arm was found to have increased from 18.2% to 45.9%,
while that of the control arm remained at 18%. Respondents in the study’s intervention arm had a 3.867 higher
chances of being screened than respondents in the control arm (OR 3.849, CI.1.802- 8.223, P<0.001)
Conclusion: At baseline, the screening uptake for cancer of the cervix was low. The existing communication
strategies in Isiolo County were limited in addressing cervical cancer. Targeted health communication on cervical
cancer screening by Community Health Volunteers, subsequently cervical cancer screening uptake post intervention
Description
Article
Keywords
cervical cancer, community unit, community health volunteer, health communication strategy, cervical cancer screening uptake., cervical cancer screening uptake
Citation
Linus, A. M., Wanyoro, A., & Gitahi, M. M. (2023). Effect of a Health Communication Strategy on Uptake of Cervical Cancer Screening in Isiolo County, Kenya. Global Journal of Health Science, 15(2), 12.