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Abstract:
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There are ongoing communications campaigns of cervical cancer in Kenya for cervical cancer screening and uptake among women (National Cervical Cancer Prevention Program, 2012). However, data depicts that there is low level of screening and uptake in the rural population (ICO Information Centre on HPV and Cancer, 2014). This study adopted qualitative research design with a purpose of finding out the communication challenges of cervical cancer screening awareness and uptake among rural women in Bungoma County- Kenya. The objectives of the study were to: find out the communication channels of cervical cancer that rural women in Bungoma are exposed to; identify the communication challenges that rural women in Bungoma face regarding cervical cancer screening health campaigns, and to find out the level of awareness of cervical cancer among rural women in Bungoma County. The sample size consisted of 40 women from Mt. Elgon Constituency in the County. Focus group discussion and in-depth interviews were the sampling technique adopted. The data was analyzed by using QSR-Nvivo. The findings of the research showed that the main communication channels of cervical cancer were the media, health education and roadshows. The main communication challenges of cervical cancer screening and uptake were; lack of cervical cancer terminology, inadequate information on the communication channels and fear. There was low level of cervical cancer awareness and uptake among the participants. One of the recommendations was the need of educating media personalities and other major key health informants on cervical cancer for increase in uptake of screening services. |
