Recent studies highlight the vital need to shift information dissemination on Cervical Cancer and screenings to a multi-pronged approach for women in rural settings.
According to research carried out by a team of researchers from the University of Nairobi titled, “Cervical cancer information access and dissemination strategies among rural Kenyan women: A mixed methods study,” adopting these innovative ways of educating these women is mutually exclusive to increased uptake of cervical cancer.
This study which collected sampled 174 participants from Bomet and Kericho Counties found out that uptake of Cervical cancer screenings was low and there existed a gap in health literacy of cervical cancer especially in these rural settings.
Cervical Cancer the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) caused disease is the fourth most commonly diagnosed cancer in Sub-Saharan Africa and has the highest mortality rate in Kenya of all cancers, it is responsible for approximately 3,200 deaths in 2020.
This makes preventive measures and subsequent timely treatment vital, this however, faces a barrier in underserved rural settings where there is ignorance about the disease and screenings.
According to this study in Kenya, the uptake of screenings stands at 2.6%, a far cry from the 4% rate observed among women in urban settings.
This disparity according to this study outlined factors driving the literacy gaps and subsequent low screenings in rural settings as; limited access to health facilities offering screening, high cost of screening, belief in traditional medicine and low risk perception.
This study recommends disseminating information on this deadly cancer through multiple sources and in a culturally sensitive and relatable way to drive informed health decisions by these women.
In view of this, the study suggests adopting multi-channel and community-based outreach for example, blending traditional information channels like radio and community-based outreach programs, integrating health worker-led education with screening to provide both education and immediate access to screenings.
Other strategies recommended by this study include leveraging trusted messengers and channels for example local leaders and channels. Tailored approaches that were relatable and culturally sensitive was also recommended for example, ones that offered privacy despite group outreach guaranteeing broader reach, this approach for example home visits was favored by most women.
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