Cervical cancer information access and dissemination strategies among rural Kenyan women: A mixed methods study.

BACKGROUND

Cervical cancer (CC) remains a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in sub-Saharan Africa. In rural Kenya, screening uptake is particularly low, partly because of limited access to reliable health information and other structural barriers such as the unavailability of screening equipment and the cost of screening.

AIM: To examine the relationship between access to CC information and screening uptake, and to identify information needs, preferences and dissemination strategies among women with low educational attainment in resource-limited rural settings.

SETTING

Rural communities in Bomet and Kericho Counties, Kenya.

METHODS

We conducted a mixed methods study among 174 women recruited through purposive convenience sampling. Data collection involved interviewer-administered cross-sectional surveys and semi-structured interviews (n = 21). Quantitative data were analysed using logistic regression, and qualitative data using thematic analysis. Findings were integrated during interpretation.

RESULTS

Participants had a mean age of 45 years; 88.5% were from low-income households. Although 82.2% had heard of CC - primarily via news media (36.8%), health workers (24.1%) and social networks (21.3%) - only 6.3% had been screened. Health workers and the radio were the most trusted information sources. Access to each additional information source was associated with 4.66 times higher odds of screening (95% confidence interval: 1.19-18.25). Despite this, 92% felt inadequately informed. Integrated findings underscored the need for culturally relevant, literacy-sensitive approaches.

CONCLUSION

Screening uptake remains low but improves with exposure to diverse, trusted information sources.

CONTRIBUTION: This study highlights the importance of tailored, community-based strategies to enhance CC screening in underserved rural populations.