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Factors Affecting Cervical Cancer Screening among Women Below 25 Years in Kithare Area, Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya

Cervical cancer is the most common neoplasm among women globally 
affecting approximately 500,000 women with 275,000 succumbing to the disease 
every year. The prevalence of cervical cancer is disproportionately high in 
sub-Saharan Africa where the screening rate is low. The study sought to assess 
the factors affecting cervical cancer screening among women aged 15 - 25 years 
in Kithare area Tharaka Nithi County. The study was a descriptive cross-sectional study and 
interviewer administered questionnaires were used to capture the level of 
knowledge, individual perspectives, attitude and barriers influencing cervical 
cancer screening. This study was conducted between August and September 2018 
with the sample size being 80 respondents. From the findings a significant 
number of women had two or more sexual partners. The level of knowledge on 
cervical cancer was significantly low as (55%, n = 44) were aware about the 
disease, (45%, n = 36) had the correct knowledge when to 
seek screening, (40%, n = 32) knew the correct interval for attending screening 
and only (18.7%, n = 15) had been screened before. Reasons for seeking 
screening for the 18.7% were to know their health status, due to abnormal 
discharge or as a result of bleeding. (86.3%, n = 69) believed that screening 
was helpful with reasons being; for early detection of the disease, to know the 
health status, to prevent infertility and death. (13.7%, n = 11) believed that 
screening was not helpful with reasons being; the procedure is uncomfortable, 
painful, it leads to a low self-esteem, fear of wrong results and the diagnosis 
of cancer. Barriers citied to cervical cancer screening were; inadequate 
knowledge, negative attitude towards screening, lack of the screening services 
and cost of services. The knowledge and practice of cervical cancer screening 
was inadequate. More education on screening should be provided to reduce the 
misconceptions involved. Provision of free services and more participation in 
education and sensitization from the healthcare providers should also be done.