Influence of Electronic Media in Creating Cervical Cancer Awareness among Women Seeking Reproductive Health Services at the Kenyatta National Hospital Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract

The study set out to investigate the influence of electronic media in creating awareness about cervical cancer among women aged between 18 and 65 seeking reproductive health services at clinics 18 and 66 at the Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi County, Kenya. The objectives of the were: to establish the knowledge levels about cervical cancer among the women; to investigate the influence of electronic media sources among the women; to determine the influence of the nature of information as presented by electronic media; and to establish the factors that hinder access to information and participation in screening programs.The study used the mixed method research design to collect both qualitative and quantitative data. The study used systematic random sampling to obtain sample size of 295 for quantitative data8,400. The average number of women who seek reproductive health services at the study site peryear which is 8,400. For qualitative data, the researcher selected five health care givers and four gynecologists/oncologists at the reproductive health department who were selected using purposive sampling. The study used questionnaire as a tool for collecting quantitative data and interview guide to collect qualitative data. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics to help describe the distribution of scores in line with the study objectives. One-WAY ANOVA was used to establish the relationship between knowledge levels and the socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents. Qualitative data was analyzed thematically and data presented in narrative form. The study findings indicated that knowledge levels on causes, symptoms, severity, treatment and prevention of cervical cancer were very low among the respondents. This was demonstrated by more than 65.0% of the respondents who reported to havenever done pap smear test. The study findings also indicated that radio and television had not played a key role in creating awareness about cervical cancer as only less than 20.0% of respondents reported to have received their information on cervical cancer from radio and televisions while over 68.2% reported to have received their information from other sources. This was in spite of the fact that more than 90.0% of the respondents reported to own a radio and/or a television. Majority of the respondents reported to have taken no step towards cervical cancer prevention as a result of television or radio messages. Another observation was that wrong information, myths and misconceptions hindered women’s preventive measures. One WAY ANOVA wasused to establish whether there was any relationship between the demographic characteristics and the correct information that the respondents had. The results showed that there was no significant relationship between correct information and socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents.The study concluded that cervical cancer was a leading killer among women in Kenya and the world over. Besides, several factors such as lack of proper information, myths and misconceptions further hindered women’s efforts towards cervical cancer prevention. Radio and television are powerful mediums of communication but they have not done enough to create awareness towards cervical cancer prevention because most of the information that the respondents had was obtained from other sources and notfrom radio and television.The study recommended that a multi-sectoral approach be adapted towards cervical cancer prevention measures. The electronic media, especially the vernacular radio stations, stakeholders, health professionals and the government can combine efforts to come up with a spirited cervical cancer awareness campaigns in an effort to prevent to prevent the disease. There is need for further research to help fill in the knowledge gaps andwrong information that hinder women from cervical cancer prevention programs and initiatives.