| dc.description.abstract | Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women. It is the leading cause of deaths
among women worldwide. It is estimated that 493000 new cases and 274000 deaths occur every year
due to this preventable disease (Ferlay et al, 2002). Though it has high mortality there is a potential of
preventing it when detection is done early. This study sought to establish the factors influencing the
uptake of cervical cancer screening in Vihiga County. The objectives of study were: To determine how
education and accessibility to health facilities influences uptake of screening cervical cancer, To assess
how awareness influences uptake of screening cervical cancer, To investigate the social cultural factors
that influence uptake of screening cervical cancer, and To establish how cost influences uptake of
screening cervical cancer. To address these objectives, the study adopted a descriptive survey research
design employing both qualitative and quantitative on a target population of 83193 respondents who are
women in reproductive age in Vihiga County. The sample size was 380 respondents who are women of
reproductive age residents of Vihiga County utilizing health services. Primary data was collected by use
of questionnaires. The questionnaires had both open and close ended questions. Open ended questions
were desirable so as to encourage the respondents to give an in depth response without feeling
constrained. On the other hand, close ended questions were used because they save on time and are easy
to fill and analyze. Data was coded, entered and analyzed using SPSS 11.5 for frequency tables, and
categorical responses within indicators were established using cross-tabulation. Inferences on the
analyzed data was then made from the findings and the results presented in tables (both frequencies and
percentages and cross tabulation results). Basing on the objectives of the study, it was found that 68.2%
of respondents said that accessibility to health facility largely influenced the decision of up taking
cervical cancer screening among women of reproductive age in Vihiga County. On education and
awareness 36.4% respondents said that it influences the uptake of cervical cancer screening among
women of child bearing age in Vihiga county, social factors such as religion viewed 51.4% that this
factor did not influence the uptake of cervical cancer. On affordability 56.7% said they cannot afford
the treatment expenses that come with diagnosis with cervical cancer in advanced stage. Uptake of
cervical cancer screening was cross tabulated along all indicators in effort to establish categorical
responses among all indicators that influenced the decision to uptake cervical cancer screening. | en_US |
