article · BMC Public Health
Cervical cancer screening remains an effective method for reducing disease mortality, yet uptake across low- and middle-income regions is frequently low. An analysis of national health survey data from Kenya involving 16,901 women of reproductive age found that only 16.81 percent had undergone screening for cervical cancer. Screening uptake was significantly higher among women who had visited a health facility within the prior year, used modern contraceptives, had a history of abortion, or had regular exposure to mass media. Educational attainment was also an important factor, with personal schooling and living in communities with greater educational levels both linked to increased screening likelihood. Conversely, living in areas with high poverty correlated with lower screening rates. Women living with HIV were three and a half times more likely to be screened, reflecting the influence of engagement with clinical care services.
Cervical cancer is largely preventable with timely detection, but low screening rates leave many women vulnerable to late-stage diagnosis and avoidable death. These findings demonstrate that community poverty and low health facility contact remain major barriers to care. Recognising these patterns helps public health authorities and non-governmental organisations design targeted outreach campaigns to expand preventative screening across underserved populations.
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INTRODUCTION: Although cervical cancer screening is one of the most effective strategies to reduce the incidence and mortality of cervical cancer, the percentage of cervical cancer screening in low- and middle-income counties is low. In Kenya, the current nationwide prevalence and associated factors for the detection of cervical cancer is unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors for the detection of cervical cancer screening among women of reproductive age in Kenya using the Kenyan Demographic and Health Survey 2022. METHODS: This study used the most recent Kenyan Demographic and Health Survey data (2022) with a total weighted sample of 16,901 women. A mixed effects logistic regression analysis was performed and in the multivariable analysis, variables with a p-value below 0.05 were considered statistically significant. The strength of the association was evaluated using adjusted odds ratios along with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: The prevalence of cervical cancer screening in Kenya was 16.81%(95% CI: 16.24, 17.38%). Having a history of abortion (AOR = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.171.50, 1.43), using modern contraceptive methods (AOR = 1.57, 95% CI: 1.25, 1.95), media exposure (AOR = 1.31, 95%CI: 1.03, 1.65), primary education (AOR = 1.56, 95%CI: 1.09, 2.22), secondary education (AOR = 21.99, 95% CI: 1.1.38, 2.87), higher education (AOR = 2..50, 95% CI: 1.71, 3.65), visiting health facility within the past 12 months (AOR = 1.61, 95%CI: 1.46, 1.79), positive HIV status (AOR: 3.50, 95% CI: 2.69, 4.57), being from a community with a higher proportion of educated individuals (AOR = 1.37, 95%CI: 1.13, 1.65) and being from a community with high proportion of poor individuals (AOR = 0.72, 9 5%CI: 0.60-0.87)) were significantly associated with cervical cancer screening. CONCLUSION: In Kenya, the prevalence of cervical cancer screening was found to be low. A history of abortion, use of modern contraceptives, exposure to the media, visits to health facilities in the past 12 months, HIV status, level of education, community educational level, and community wealth were identified as significant associated factors for cervical cancer screening. Therefore, it is recommended to implement targeted public health interventions that focus on these identified factors to improve the adoption of cervical cancer screening in Kenya.
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DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-18148-y
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