Uptake of Cervical Cancer Screening among HIV Positive Women in Comprehensive Care Centres in Nairobi, Kenya

Although cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among women in low resource settings, uptake of cancer screening services in health facilities is low. Persistent Human Papilloma Virus (Hr-HPV) infection increase risk of invasive cancerous lesion thus screening services have been incorporated into routine care of all HIV positive women. The objective of the study was to determine factors that affect uptake of cervical cancer screening services among HIV positive women in Dagoretti, Nairobi County. A descriptive, cross-sectional facility-based survey of HIV positive women in Dagoretti clinics was conducted. Data was collected using interviewer-administered questionnaire. Out of the interviewed respondents, 19% had screened for cervical cancer. Most of those who had never screened (44%) feared undressing before a health care provider. High proportion of women (72%) had good knowledge levels of cervical cancer screening. Women with higher level of education (p=0.02), those aged above 45 years (p<0.01), those with current circumcised partner (p<0.01) and those currently employed (p<0.01) had better knowledge on screening services compared to other women. Women aged 45 years and above were 2 times more likely to have been screened (OR 2.1; 1.1-3.9; P=0.021) than the younger ones. Findings of this study demonstrated that higher knowledge levels was associated with increased uptake of cervical cancer screening among HIV positive women and thus effort to improve the knowledge on cancer screening can lead to higher uptake of the services.