INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION AS A TOOL FOR ENHANCING WOMEN’S UPTAKE OF CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING IN UASIN GISHU COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

This study assessed interpersonal communication as tool for enhancing uptake of cervical cancer screening among women seeking healthcare services at Maternal and Child Health and Family Planning (MCH/FP) clinic in Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. Specifically, it determined women’s awareness and knowledge levels of cervical cancer in relation to uptake of screening; examined interpersonal communication channels utilized and their effectiveness in the uptake of cervical cancer screening; determined the role of interpersonal communication channels in the uptake of cervical cancer screening, and established interpersonal communication barriers in relation to uptake of cervical cancer screening. The study was guided by the Diffusion of Innovations Theory. The study used pragmatic paradigm, descriptive cross-sectional research design and employed mixed methods approach. Data was collected from MCH/FP clinic at MTRH. From the target population, a sample of 308 women was selected using systematic random sampling method. Quantitative data was collected using semi-structured questionnaires while qualitative data was collected using two focused group discussions (FGDs) and six key informant interviews (KIIs). Quantitative data was analyzed with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), version 29, while qualitative data was analyzed using thematic content analysis with the aid of NVivo, version 12 software. The results were presented using a combination of narrative explanations, tables, charts and graphs. Inferential statistics were performed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient analysis and regression analysis. The findings indicated that: there were low levels of knowledge about cervical cancer on the risk factors, causes and symptoms, healthcare workers were frequently usd channels and they play crucial roles in educating women on cervical cancer risk factors and motivating them to seek screening during clinic visits, friends provide advice about the purpose of cervical cancer tests and the benefits of screening. The barriers to interpersonal communication that affected uptake of screening were low levels of knowledge, inadequate information about screening, myths and misconceptions, fear of finding positive results and the screening procedure. The study recommends regular health education on cervical cancer in health facilties in order to increase women’s knowledge on cervical cancer, provision of requisite training to health care workers on best ways to disseminate cervical cancer information because they were found to be the frequently used and the most effective channels, curriculum review in health training institutions order to incorporate interpersonal communication aspects to equip learners on dissemination of health messages. Integrating interpersonal communication channels with mass media channels will reduce the stated barriers and enhance uptake of cervical screening. Lastly, policies in the Kenyan health care sector should be broken down into actionable points through interpersonal communication to the public in order to increase the likelihood of the suggested interventions being adopted right from county to national levels.