Knowledge on cervical cancer screening among female nurses working at Thika level five hospital, Kenya

Abstract

About 85% of cervical cancer deaths occur in Sub-Saharan African countries. Screening women for cervical cancer is the most feasible strategy for its prevention; however, the rate of cervical cancer screening in Kenya stands at 3.2%, one of the lowest in the region. Nurses form the bulk of health professionals directly involved in cervical cancer screening and advocacy, despite their involvement in its prevention activities, their knowledge may not be adequate.

Introduction: About 85% of cervical cancer deaths occur in Sub-Saharan African countries. Screening women for cervical cancer is the most feasible strategy for its prevention; however, the rate of cervical cancer screening in Kenya stands at 3.2%, one of the lowest in the region. Nurses form the bulk of health professionals directly involved in cervical cancer screening and advocacy, despite their involvement in its prevention activities, their knowledge may not be adequate. The objective of the study was to assess the knowledge on cervical cancer screening among nurses working at Thika Level Five Hospital.

Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study design was used; the study targeted all female nurses working at Thika Level 5 Hospital. A systematic sampling technique was used where every 2nd nurse was selected from the sampling frame; data was collected using a semi structured questionnaire. Ethical clearance was obtained from Mount Kenya University and Thika Level 5 Hospital Research and Ethics Committees and relevant departments. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 22.

Findings: Ninety percent of the respondents had low scores on the cervical cancer screening schedule following a negative test result.

Conclusions: There was knowledge deficit on cervical cancer screening among nurses and recommends additional formal training on cervical cancer screening among female nurses.

Recommendations: There is need for aggressive sensitization campaign through continuous medical education sessions in the hospital to improve nurse’s knowledge on cervical cancer screening. Similar studies to establish uptake of cervical cancer screening services by nurses in other Counties in Kenya should be done.