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.
Keywords
Full Text:
PDFReferences
American Cancer Society (2013), Cervical Cancer, viewed 20 April 2014, http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/NR/rdonlyres/A6E3D1EC-93C4-4B66-A7E8 B025721184B2/57824/CCSP_2011AR_June6.pdf
Bruni, L, Barrionuevo, L, Serrano, B, Brotons, M, Cosano, R, Muñoz, J, Bosch, F, de Sanjosé S, & Castellsagué, X (2014), Human Papillomavirus and Related Diseases in Uganda: ICO Information Centre on HPV and Cancer (HPV Information Centre) Summary Report 2014/03/17. Viewed on 21February 2014 http://www.hpvcentre.net/statistics/reports/UGA.pdf
Kibira, H (2014), Kenya Spends Ksh 7billion to Treat Cancer Abroad, The Eye 30th January 2014, p.1, viewed on 4th February 2014, http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/article-152981/kenyans-spend-sh7-billion-treat-cancer-abroad-says-macharia
Ministry of Public Health & Sanitation, & Ministry of Medical Services (2012), National Guidelines for Prevention and Management of Cervical Cancer, Breast, and Prostate cancers, Afya house, Cathedral Road, Nairobi
Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation, & Ministry of Medical Services (2012), National Cancer control strategy 211-2016, Afya house, Cathedral Road, Nairobi
Ministry of Public Health & Sanitation (MoPS) and Ministry of Medical Services (MoMS), (2012) National cervical Cancer Prevention Program: Strategic Plan 2012-2015,Afya House, Cathedral Road, Nairobi
Mugenda, O.M & Mugenda, G.A (2003), Research Methods: Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches. Africa Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS) –Press, Nairobi Kenya.
Oche, M, Kaoje, A, Gana, G, & Ango, J (2013),Cancer of the Cervix and Cervical screening: Current Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Female Health Workers in Sokoto, Nigeria. International Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences, April 20135(4):184-190, viewed 17 March 2014 http://www.academicjournals.org/article/article1378995320_Oche%20et%20al.pdf
Oyedunni, S, A, &Opemipo, O, M (2012), Perception and Utilization of Cervical Cancer Screening Services among Female Nurses in University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. Pan Africa Medical Journal, 2012;11:69, viewed 26 February 2014 http://www.panafrican-med-journal.com/content/article/11/69/full/
World Health Organization (2013), WHO Guiding Note-Comprehensive Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control: a Healthier Future for Girls and Women. WHO production Services, Geneva, Switzerland
World Health Organization (2013), WHO Guidelines for Screening and Treatment of Precancerous Lesions for Cervical Cancer Prevention, WHO production Services, Geneva, Switzerland
Yoshiharu, A, Yae, Y, Hiroshi, O, Masatoshi, K, Koji, W, Midori, S, Hiroko, S, Jun, O (2012), The Knowledge on Cervical Cancer and Screening Adherence among Nurses at a University-Affiliated Hospital in Japan, Kitasato Med J 2012; 42: 6-14, viewed 9 March 2014 http://mlib.kitasato-u.ac.jp/homepage/ktms/kaishi/pdf/KMJ42-1/KMJ42-1p006-014.pdf
Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.
Copyright (c) 2019 Kenyan Journal of Nursing & Midwifery
© Numid Publishers ISSN: 2518-8631