Influence of Perception on Utilization of Cervical Cancer Screening Services among Women Aged 30-49 Years in Kitui West Sub-County, Kenya
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to find out the influence of perception on utilization of cervical cancer screening services among women aged 30-49years in Kitui west-sub-county, Kenya. Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive study design was used. The study population was women aged30-49 years of age. A multi-stage cluster sampling technique, simple random sampling and systemic sampling was used to obtain 270 respondents from the study population. Data was collected using interviewer administered questionnaire to women aged 30-49 years in Kitui west sub-County. The study used quantitative research methods to obtain data from selected respondents. Quantitative data was collected using closed and open-ended questionnaires. All interviews were done after obtaining approval from relevant bodies and consent from study respondents. Data from the respondents was analyzed using statistical package of social sciences (SPSS) in conjunction with Microsoft excel. The study used chi-square test calculated at 95% interval and a margin of 0.05% error to determine the relationship between dependent and independent study variables. Findings: The study achieved a high response rate of 90.9% (270 out of 297 questionnaires). Perception significantly influenced utilization of cervical cancer screening services, with significant associations found for perceiving screening as necessary (χ² = 3.221, df = 1, p = 0.011), as painful (p = 0.022), and as a procedure for commercial sex workers (χ² = 5.224, df = 1, p = 0.026). However, perceptions that screening is embarrassing (p = 0.073) or only for sexually active women (p = 0.140) showed no significant association with utilization. Implications to Theory, Practice, and Policy: Based on the findings of this study, the study recommended that health messages on cervical cancer should demystify the wrong perception among the community members about cervical cancer to enhance utilization of screening services.