Knowledge and practice about cervical cancer and Pap smear testing among patients at Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract

Invasive cervical cancer (ICC) is the leading cause of cancer-related death among women in developing countries. Population-based cytologic screening and early treatment does reduce morbidity and mortality associated with cervical cancer. Some of the factors related to the success of such a program include awareness about cervical cancer and its screening. The objective of this study was to assess knowledge and practice about cervical cancer and Pap smear testing among cervical cancer and noncancer patients using a structured questionnaire to obtain information. Fifty-one percent of the respondents were aware of cervical cancer while 32% knew about Pap smear testing. There were no significant differences in knowledge between cervical cancer and noncancer patients. Health care providers were the principal source of information about Pap testing (82%). Only 22% of all patients had had a Pap smear test in the past. Patients aware of cervical cancer were more likely to have had a Pap smear test in the past. The level of knowledge is low among ICC and noncancer patients. There is need to increase the level of knowledge and awareness about ICC and screening among Kenyan women to increase uptake of the currently available hospital screening facilities.

Cervical cancer: the sub-Saharan African perspective

“…18,[20][21][22] Socio-economic factors Worldwide women of low socio-economic status have a greater risk of cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is often referred to as a disease of poverty 23 RI Anorlu / Reproductive Health Matters 2008;16(32): [41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49] and of poor women. 24 Poverty is endemic in sub-Saharan Africa.…”

“…44,45 Poor knowledge is not limited to patients alone, however; health care workers who are supposed to be better informed do not have good knowledge of the disease either. [45][46][47][48] In Lagos, delay by primary health care providers RI Anorlu / Reproductive Health Matters 2008;16(32): [41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49] in referring cases of cervical cancer was found to be an important cause of women presenting with late-stage disease. 11 It took a mean of 9.35 ± 12.9 months for primary health care providers to diagnose and refer women with cervical cancer to a tertiary hospital for management.…”

“…55 The default rate among those with cytological abnormalities reaches 60-80% due to the absence of effective mechanisms for recall of women with abnormal smears. 15 The effectiveness of direct visual inspection (visual inspection with acetic acid and visual inspection with Lugol's iodine) as a form of population-based screening is currently being studied in some ongoing projects across the RI Anorlu / Reproductive Health Matters 2008;16(32): [41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49] continent, mainly sponsored by international agencies. 6,24 Results from these studies are quite promising and support its use as an alternative to cervical cytology.…”

“…In a survey of terminally ill patients in five countries in Africa -Uganda, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Botswana -the greatest need expressed by the patients was pain relief. 62 In another study 63 comparing the concerns of terminally ill patients in a developed country RI [41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49] (Scotland) and an African country (Kenya), it was found that the main concern of the Scottish patients was the emotional pain of facing death, while for their counterparts in Kenya it was physical pain and financial worries. Unfortunately, there is inadequate availability of pain-relieving medications, especially opioids.…”

Adana genelevinde çalışan seks işçilerinin serviks kanseri hakkındaki bilgi, tutum ve davranışları

“…Likewise sexually active group knew better when to perform smear test. In similar studies, women who perceived themselves at risk for cervical cancer are reported to undergo Pap smear test with higher proportion [31][32][33] .…”