Factors Affecting Uptake of Cancer Screening Between Men and Women Aged 18- 49 YEARS in Nakuru North -Sub County, Kenya

Abstract

The paper intended to investigate factors affecting uptake of cancer screening in Nakuru North Sub-County. The specific factors that were being investigated included; individual awareness, socio-economic factors, and access to health facility. The study employed cross-sectional research design. The Health Belief Model (HBM) was the basis of this study. The model assumes that individuals fear diseases and that the health exercises of people are impelled by the level of pre-perceived hazard (fear) and the ordinary fear diminish action, the length of that possible diminishment surpasses physical and mental limits to making a move (net points of interest) to support interest in profitable health exercises. It was also pinned on the Diffusion of Innovation Theory which requires that the prescribed health behavior (uptake of cancer screening) as a new ides should be characterized by relative advantage, compatibility, complexity Triability and Observability. The target population of the study was the144, 266 men and women aged 18-49 years in Nakuru North Sub-County. The sample size was 384 men and women aged 18- 49 years. A mixture of probability and non-probability sampling techniques were used including stratified random sampling, systematic random sampling and purposive sampling procedures. Key informants including healthcare providers, ministry of health officials and local leadership were also sought using purposive sampling procedures. This study utilized questionnaires and key informant interview guide for data collection. The study also used secondary data from Nakuru Sub-County statistics office on cancer screening data for the last five years (2011-2015). Qualitative data from key informants’ interviews (KIIs) was analyzed using content analysis. Quantitative data was evaluated using descriptive statistics Graphical presentations, charts and tables were used to present the data analysed. The study observed various research ethics including anonymity, confidentiality, and privacy, consenting and seeking permission from the relevant authorities to conduct the research. From the findings, it was established that individual awareness, access to health facility and socio-economic factors had a positive significant relationship with uptake of cancer screening among men and women aged 18- 49 years in Nakuru North Sub-county. The most significant factor influencing uptake of cancer screening among men and women aged 18-49 years in Nakuru North Sub-County is socio-economic factors, followed by individual awareness and access to health facility respectively. The study recommends that the government in partnership with its health programs partners to consider conducting regular national-wide cancer sensitization campaigns. The government to consider subsidizing the cost of cancer screening, in order to encourage and motivate its uptake. The access to health facility should be scaled up by the management of health facilities and the government using a hybrid approach.