The study focused on factors that act as barriers to the utilization of cervical cancer screening practices among women living in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. The objectives of study were to describe the knowledge level about cervical cancer and screening practices (causes, risk factors and early detection) among women living in Uasin Gishu County, to describe women’ perceptions and attitudes towards cervical cancer and screening practices, to determine the level of cervical screening utilization and whether cervical screening practices vary between rural and urban women living in Uasin Gushy County and to identify factors that functions as barriers to the utilization of cervical cancer screening practices among women living in Uasin Gishu County. The study adopted a cross sectional research design that applied both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection including combination of interviews and questionnaires. Since cervical cancer affects only women, the study took as its target population women. Therefore, the study population comprised of women aged between 18 and 55 years with different social, economic and ethnic backgrounds and resided in both urban and rural areas Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. The finding of the study confirmed that many women living in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya had heard about cervical cancer yet the majority of the women had a poor knowledge in many characteristics of cervical cancer. Disparity was also observed in the knowledge of cervical cancer by the women. In view of the knowledge discrepancy about cervical cancer in the women, there is need for the Ministry of Health in Kenya to strengthen training programs and in-service education so that nurses and other health workers update their knowledge of cervical cancer and screening so that they circulate the same type of information. There is need for massive awareness on cervical cancer prevention by all community and government structures with Civil Society Organizations and local governments in the affected areas taking lead is needed at all levels; this has to include highlighting issues and effects of early marriages and early pregnancies as these predispose young girls to cervical cancer. Health workers need to use every health service / visit opportunity to provide information to women about cervical cancer.
Table of Contents
1.1 Background of the Study
1.2 Problem Statement
1.3 General Objective
1.3.1 Specific Objectives.
1.4 Research Questions
1.5 Justification of the study
1.6 Significance of the study
1.7 Scope and Limitation of the study
1.7.1 Scope of the study
1.7.2 Limitation of the study
1.8 Operational Definitions of Terms
1.9 Organization of the rest of the study
1.10 Organization of the rest of the study
2.0 Introduction
2.1 Knowledge Level about Cervical Cancer and Screening Practices
2.2 Perceptions and Attitudes towards Cervical Cancer and Screening Practices
2.3 Level of Cervical Screening Utilization&Variations between Rural&Urban Women
2.4 Factors act as Barriers to the Utilization of Cervical Cancer Screening Practices
2.5 Summary of Literature Review
2.6 Theoretical framework
3.0 Introduction
3.1 Study Sites
3.1.1 Study Population
3.2 Study Design
3. 3. Data collection instruments/Methods
3.3.1 Sources of Data
3.3.2 Qualitative Data
3.3.3 Quantitative Data
3.4 Sample procedure
3.5 Sample Size
3.5.1 Inclusion and exclusion criteria
3.6 Data collection Procedure
3.7 Data Management and Analysis
3.8 Ethical Consideration Issues
4.0 Introduction
4.1 Descriptive Analysis of the Sample Statistics
4.1.1 Demographic Characteristics of Respondent’s Women
4.2 Knowledge level about cervical cancer and screening practices
4.3 Perceptions and attitudes towards cervical cancer and screening practices
4.3.1 Perceived Severity and vulnerability to Cervical Cancer
4.3.2 Perceived present Broad Health Status of urban and rural women
4.3.3 Attitudes towards Cervical Screening Practices
4.4 Comparison of the level of CC screening & utilization of urban and rural women
4.4.1 Utilization of Cervical screening services
4.4.2 Time since Last Screened Cervical Cancer
4.4.3 Reasons for Cervical Cancer Screening
4.5 Barriers to the utilization of CC screening practices in Uasin Gishu County
4.6 Summary
5.0 Introduction
5.1 Discussion of the findings
5.1.1 Socio-Demographic Findings of Respondent’s Women
5.1.2 Knowledge level about cervical cancer and screening practices
5.1.3 Perceptions and attitudes towards cervical cancer and screening practices
5.1.4 Level of cervical screening utilization among rural and urban women
5.1.5 Factors that functions as barriers to the utilization of CC screening practices
5.2 Conclusion
5.3 Recommendations
5.4 Recommendations areas for further research
Objectives and Scope of the Study
This study aims to investigate the barriers to the utilization of cervical cancer screening practices among women in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya, by assessing knowledge levels, perceptions, and attitudes toward the disease and available screening services.
- Describe women’s knowledge levels regarding cervical cancer causes, risk factors, and early detection.
- Analyze women’s perceptions and attitudes toward cervical cancer screening.
- Determine the level of cervical screening utilization and compare patterns between rural and urban populations.
- Identify specific socio-cultural, economic, and systemic barriers hindering screening uptake.
Excerpt from the Book
Cervical cancer develops in four stages.
In the first stage, the cancer is located in the cervix and can only be detected by a microscope (stage 1A). Stage 1B occurs when the cancer csn be detected visually or by physical examination. Stage 2 occurs when the cancer spreads beyond the cervix to involve neighbouring tissues, including the upper section of the vagina. Stage 3 occurs when the cancer spreads to the lower vagina or to the sides of the pelvis, or causes urethral obstruction (hydronephrosis). Metastasis occurs in stage 4, in which the cancer spreads to the bladder or rectum, or metastasizes to the liver or lungs. In stage 4, symptoms appear, such as fistula, fatigue, pain in the pelvis, back or legs, vaginal bleeding, and bone fractures (Ferlay et al., 2001).
Early age of sexual debut is a predisposing factor for HPV infection and cervical cancer. This factor is particularly significant in Kenya, where at least 33% of girls in secondary school have had sex, some of which is unprotected, exposing them to HPV (CAS 2009). Consequently, in the absence of interventions, approximately 10.32 million women aged over 15 years are at risk of developing cervical cancer (WHO/ICO, 2010).
Summary of Chapters
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION: Outlines the background of cervical cancer in Kenya, states the problem, defines objectives, and justifies the research necessity.
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW: Examines existing studies on knowledge, perceptions, and barriers related to cervical cancer screening across various geographic contexts.
CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY: Details the cross-sectional research design, sampling procedures, data collection tools, and ethical considerations applied in Uasin Gishu County.
CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND RESULTS: Presents findings based on quantitative and qualitative data regarding demographic statistics, knowledge levels, and identified barriers.
CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Synthesizes research findings, offers conclusions, and proposes evidence-based recommendations for policy and future research.
Keywords
Cervical Cancer, Cervical Screening Utilization, Access, Barriers, Rural and Urban Women, Perceptions, Attitudes, Uasin Gishu County, Kenya, HPV, Public Health, Health Promotion, Screening Practices, Health Literacy, Prevention Strategies
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research project?
The study investigates the barriers preventing women in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya, from accessing and utilizing cervical cancer screening services.
What are the central thematic areas of this study?
The research centers on women's knowledge levels, their perceptions and attitudes toward the disease, the actual utilization rates of screening, and identified barriers to accessing care.
What is the primary objective of this work?
The main objective is to identify and explore factors acting as barriers to cervical cancer screening to help improve local policy and health intervention programs.
What research methodology was employed?
A concurrent triangulation mixed-method approach was used, utilizing both quantitative surveys and qualitative in-depth interviews to capture a comprehensive picture of the situation.
What topics are covered in the main body of the study?
The main body covers demographic profiles, detailed knowledge assessments regarding symptoms and risk factors, comparative analysis between urban and rural women, and specific barriers like cost, distance, and cultural stigma.
Which keywords define this research?
The work is defined by terms such as Cervical Cancer, Screening Utilization, Barriers, Access, and Uasin Gishu County.
Why are rural women identified as a specific focus in the study?
The study specifically contrasts rural and urban settings because rural areas often experience significant resource inequality and lack of access to health information and screening facilities.
How does this study contribute to local health policy?
The findings provide empirical evidence that the Ministry of Health and local stakeholders can use to tailor awareness campaigns, improve in-service training for health workers, and make screening more culturally and economically accessible.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Hillary Mabeya (Autor:in), 2018, Barriers to cervical cancer screening practices among women in Gishu County, Kenya, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/419801
