Awareness and Knowledge levels as determinants of Cervical Cancer Screening uptake among Women Seeking Healthcare Services at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, Kenya

The community health seeking behaviour on various health issues is driven by the level of knowledge and awareness. This study aimed at determining the link between cervical cancer awareness and knowledge levels in relation to uptake of cervical cancer screening among women seeking healthcare services at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, Kenya. By assessing public awareness and knowledge about cervical cancer, deeper insights into existing public practices can be gained, thereby helping in identifying factors that influence women in adopting healthy practices and modelling public health interventions. The objectives of the study were; to find out the level of awareness and knowledge about cervical cancer screening among the women and to examine the relationship between the level of cancer awareness and knowledge cancer screening uptake. The study area was Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, Kenya. The study adopted a mixed methods approach to arrive at logical conclusions. The major finding of the study revealed that many women accessing healthcare services at MTRH Kenya had ever heard about cervical cancer but majority of them had poor knowledge about the disease. They were not aware that it is sexually transmitted, can be prevented through vaccinating young girls before sexual debut and early and regular screening for cervical cancer. The study found out low levels of awareness of symptoms, knowledge on risk factors, and not able to differentiate between facts and misconceptions about the disease. In addition, it was found that the uptake of cancer screening services increased with the increase in knowledge level and vice versa. This study concludes that there is need to create massive awareness on cervical cancer prevention by government and non-state actors at all levels from the community level to the national level. The Ministry of health with communication practitioners should develop clear, easy to understand educational messages about cervical cancer and screening tests and appropriately communicate to the women. The health care providers should sensitize women on the need for early screening for cervical cancer during clinic visits to prevent late diagnosis of the disease when little treatment options are available. In order to prevent cervical cancer, effective communication is crucial in creating awareness and in increasing knowledge levels among women and to enhance uptake of screening in Kenya in particular and sub-Saharan Africa at large.