Acceptability of Cervical Cancer Screening among Adolescent Girls and Young Women Living with HIV in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ajhs.v38i2.7

Abstract

Background: Cervical cancer is a major cause of mortality among women living with HIV worldwide, especially among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW), who face a sixfold increased risk of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection with lower clearance rates compared to their HIV-negative peers. Despite the Ministry of Health recommendations for annual cervical cancer screening, only 23% of AGYW living with HIV in Uasin Gishu County have been screened. Identifying the client-level, healthcare worker, and service delivery factors that influence the uptake of cervical cancer screening could uncover barriers to acceptability.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted to gather data from 196 HIV-positive AGYW, with enrollment carried out via systematic random sampling between November and December 2023. Data were collected using a pre-tested, structured questionnaire and analyzed using R version 4.3.1, applying chi-square tests and multiple logistic regression to explore associations between variables.

Results: The study enrolled 168 AGYW, revealing that only 27% (46/168) had undergone cervical cancer screening. Key predictors of screening included familiarity with screening methods (AOR=4.71, 95% CI [ 1.71, 14.6], p=0.004), employment status (AOR= 7.45, 95% CI [2.47, 24.9], p<0.001), marital status (AOR=6.28, 95% CI [2.47, 24.9] p=<0.001), and gender preference for screening (AOR= 3.54, 95% CI [ 1.31, 10.2], p=0.015).

Conclusion: The findings highlight the low acceptability of screening, therefore calling for the Ministry of Health to employ client-focused, tailor-made interventions in alignment with the identified predictors of familiarity with screening approaches, marital status, and employment, which are key to increasing cervical cancer screening acceptability.