Cervical cancer is the most common neoplasm among women globally
affecting approximately 500,000 women with 275,000 succumbing to the disease
every year. The prevalence of cervical cancer is disproportionately high in
sub-Saharan Africa where the screening rate is low. The study sought to assess
the factors affecting cervical cancer screening among women aged 15-25 years
in Kithare area TharakaNithi County. The study was a descriptive cross-sectional study and
interviewer administered questionnaires were used to capture the level of
knowledge, individual perspectives, attitude and barriers influencing cervical
cancer screening. This study was conducted between August and September 2018
with the sample size being 80 respondents. From the findings a significant
number of women had two or more sexual partners. The level of knowledge on
cervical cancer was significantly low as (55%, n = 44) were aware about the
disease, (45%, n = 36) had the correct knowledge when to
seek screening, (40%, n = 32) knew the correct interval for attending screening
and only (18.7%, n = 15) had been screened before. Reasons for seeking
screening for the 18.7% were to know their health status, due to abnormal
discharge or as a result of bleeding. (86.3%, n = 69) believed that screening
was helpful with reasons being; for early detection of the disease, to know the
health status, to prevent infertility and death. (13.7%, n = 11) believed that
screening was not helpful with reasons being; the procedure is uncomfortable,
painful, it leads to a low self-esteem, fear of wrong results and the diagnosis
of cancer. Barriers citied to cervical cancer screening were; inadequate
knowledge, negative attitude towards screening, lack of the screening
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