Publication:

Socioeconomic status and health awareness predictors of cervical cancer screening uptake among women aged 25-49 years in Kiambu sub-county, Kenya

Background Cervical cancer is a major public health concern in Kenya, accounting for 12% of all cancer cases and being the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. This study aimed to identify the socioeconomic status and health awareness determinants of cervical cancer screening uptake among women aged 25-49 years in Kiambu town sub-county, Kiambu County, Kenya.

Methods A descriptive cross-sectional design was used in this study, where both qualitative and quantitative data were obtained for purposes of triangulation. Multi-stage sampling technique was utilized to select study participants. Both chi-square and binary logistic regression were used to identify socioeconomic status and health awareness determinants associated with cervical cancer screening uptake. SPSS version 29 was used in quantitative data analysis. The cutoff for statistical significance was p≤0.05. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically.

Results Cervical cancer screening uptake was at 40.2%. Earning between Ksh 20,001-30,000 (OR=5.4, 95% CI; 2.074-6.464, p<0.001), being married (OR=1.8,95% CI; 1.343-9.790, p=0.03), awareness of cervical cancer (OR=2.4, 95% CI; 1.342-4.122, p=0.003), and awareness of signs and symptoms (OR=1.5, 95% CI; 1.154-2.704, p=0.01) increased the odds of cervical cancer screening. Conversely, younger women aged 25-29 years (OR=0.22, 95% CI; 0.243-0.846, p=0.023) had reduced odds of cervical cancer screening uptake.

Conclusions The uptake of cervical cancer screening was low among women aged 25-49 years in Kiambu sub-county. Awareness of cervical cancer signs and symptoms, awareness of cervical cancer, study respondents’ age, marital status income were socioeconomic status and health awareness predictors of cervical cancer screening. Efforts should be put in place to enhance awareness of cervical cancer.