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Barriers to breast and cervical cancer screening among adolescent girls and young women in Kenya: A nationwide cross-sectional survey

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  • Kawuki, Joseph
  • Savi, Victor
  • Betunga, Benjamin
  • Gopang, Meroona
  • Isangula, Kahabi Ganka
  • Nuwabaine, Lilian

Abstract

Promoting regular screening remains one of the primary preventive measures for breast and cervical cancer. The study aimed to assess the prevalence and barriers to breast and cervical cancer screening among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in Kenya. The study used data from the 2022 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS), with 12,026 AGYW who were selected by multistage sampling. The outcomes of interest were breast and cervical cancer screening. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess factors negatively associated with the outcome variables, using SPSS (version 29.0). Of the 12,026 AGYW included in this study, only 6.0% (95%CI: 5.6–6.8) and 5.1% (95%CI: 4.8–6.0) had undertaken breast and cervical cancer screening, respectively. Low education (AOR = 0.08, 95%CI: 0.02–0.34 and AOR = 0.48, 95%CI: 0.28–0.83), not working (AOR = 0.67, 95%CI: 0.46–0.97 and AOR = 0.59, 95%CI: 0.42–0.82), low wealth index (AOR = 0.55, 95%CI: 0.32–0.92 and AOR = 0.45, 95%CI: 0.25–0.81), no visit to a healthcare facility in the last 6 months (AOR = 0.48, 95%CI: 0.33–0.69 and AOR = 0.50, 95%CI: 0.35–0.71), and no birth record (AOR = 0.29, 95%CI: 0.13–0.62 and AOR = 0.58, 95%CI: 0.27–0.74), were the major barriers to both breast and cervical cancer screening, respectively. Moreover, having no access to newspaper (AOR = 0.67, 95%CI: 0.46–0.97) was a significant barrier to breast cancer screening while having big problems with distance to a healthcare facility (AOR = 0.49, 95%CI: 0.33–0.73) and not using modern contraception (AOR = 0.60, 95%CI: 0.42–0.86) hindered cervical cancer screening. In conclusion, more efforts are needed from both the government and cancer stakeholders to increase accessibility of breast and cervical cancer screening services, especially to those with low social economic status. More targeted education and sensitization, improving livelihoods of AGYW through various women empowerment efforts, and improving screening capacity of low-grade healthcare facilities are among the useful strategies to improve the low screening rates.

Suggested Citation

  • Kawuki, Joseph & Savi, Victor & Betunga, Benjamin & Gopang, Meroona & Isangula, Kahabi Ganka & Nuwabaine, Lilian, 2025. "Barriers to breast and cervical cancer screening among adolescent girls and young women in Kenya: A nationwide cross-sectional survey," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 367(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:367:y:2025:i:c:s0277953625000516
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2025.117722
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jovin R Tibenderana & Sanun Ally Kessy & Dosanto Felix Mlaponi & Ndinagwe Lloyd Mwaitete & John Elyas Mtenga, 2024. "Predictors of breast cancer screening among women of reproductive age in Tanzania: Evidence from DHS 2022," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 19(11), pages 1-14, November.
    2. Tomi F Akinyemiju, 2012. "Socio-Economic and Health Access Determinants of Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening in Low-Income Countries: Analysis of the World Health Survey," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 7(11), pages 1-9, November.
    3. Magadi, Monica Akinyi & Madise, Nyovani Janet & Rodrigues, Roberto Nascimento, 2000. "Frequency and timing of antenatal care in Kenya: explaining the variations between women of different communities," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 51(4), pages 551-561, August.
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