Abstract
Background: Cervical cancer, a slow-growing malignancy, can be effectively treated if detected early during its precancerous stages. Pregnancy presents a critical opportunity for screening, especially in low-resource countries where healthcare access is limited. However, cervical cancer screening rates among pregnant mothers at Tenwek Hospital have consistently been below 1%. This study aims to identify the barriers, myths, and misconceptions surrounding cervical cancer screening during pregnancy and the postnatal period to develop educational materials and counseling guidelines for both pre-screening and post-screening.
Methods: This qualitative grounded theory study was conducted at Tenwek Hospital in rural Kenya. The study population comprised mothers attending antenatal follow-up and post-partum reviews up to six weeks post-delivery. We recruited 50 women, obtained informed consent, and conducted interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire with open-ended questions. Responses were recorded and analyzed thematically using SPSS.
Results: The majority (94%) of women had heard of cervical cancer screening, yet only 6% had been screened before. Fear of a cancer diagnosis (50%), discomfort (28%), and concerns about pregnancy complications (6%) were significant barriers. Despite these concerns, 70% of participants recommended screening during pregnancy and the postnatal period. Other misconceptions included the belief that screening is expensive (2%) or causes cervical cancer (2%).
Conclusion: The primary barrier to cervical cancer screening is the fear of diagnosis, necessitating increased education to dispel myths and misconceptions. Enhancing knowledge and awareness about the benefits and safety of screening during pregnancy can improve uptake and early detection, thereby reducing cervical cancer morbidity and mortality.