Description
Introduction
Worldwide, cervical cancer comes fourth in terms of incidence. In Kenya, it is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women of reproductive age, despite being preventable through regular screening and early treatment of abnormal lesions. Local data suggest that the uptake of cervical cancer screening is low among the general population. Clinicians play a vital role in the fight against cervical cancer by teaching, but most importantly, being role models in screening services uptake.
Objectives
Exploring reasons for personal screening uptake and recommendations to increase screening uptake among female clinicians at AIC Kijabe Hospital.
Methodology
Qualitative, phenomenological study. Data was collected through in-depth interviews. Data analysis was done using thematic analysis.
Results
13 of the 22 participants had done cervical cancer screening at least once in their lives, however, only 38.4% of them had an updated screening. Personal screening uptake was mostly motivated by the knowledge of risk factors. Awareness campaigns were the most shared opportunity that led to an uptake of a cervical cancer screening test. On the other hand, discomfort from the screening process was a major barrier to screening. The most common recommendation given to improve clinicians’ screening uptake was to improve the screening process, specifically the use of plastic speculums. Another popular recommendation to increase uptake of screening was to increase awareness, and frequent reminders to enable them to regularly use screening services for themselves.
Conclusion
Cervical cancer screening uptake is still low among an influential population in the fight against cervical cancer. Raising awareness among female clinicians and improving the screening process might improve screening uptake among female clinicians at AIC Kijabe Hospital.
Recommendations
Further studies are needed, to assess if increased screening uptake among female clinicians will reflect an increase in screening uptake among patients attending AIC Kijabe Hospital.
| Key words | Keywords: Cervical cancer, screening uptake, female clinicians, Kijabe Hospital. |
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