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Barriers and Opportunities for HPV Self-Sampling in Underserved Rural Communities: Insights from a Mixed Methods Study

Author

Listed:
  • Joyline Chepkorir

    (School of Nursing, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA)

  • Nancy Perrin

    (School of Nursing, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA)

  • Lucy Kivuti-Bitok

    (Department of Nursing Sciences, University of Nairobi, Nairobi 00100, Kenya)

  • Joseph J. Gallo

    (Department of Mental Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA)

  • Deborah Gross

    (School of Nursing, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA)

  • Jean Anderson

    (Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA)

  • Nancy R. Reynolds

    (School of Nursing, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA)

  • Susan Wyche

    (Department of Media and Information, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA)

  • Hillary Kibet

    (Department of Global Health, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kakamega 50100, Kenya)

  • Vincent Kipkuri

    (Department of Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, GoldStar Kenya, Nairobi 00208, Kenya)

  • Anastasha Cherotich

    (Department of Public Health, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kakamega 50100, Kenya)

  • Hae-Ra Han

    (School of Nursing, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
    Department of Health, Behavior, and Society, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA)

Abstract

Cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in sub-Saharan Africa, especially in rural areas with limited access to screening. This study explored factors influencing rural Kenyan women’s willingness to self-collect samples for HPV-DNA testing. Data were drawn from a mixed methods study in two Kenyan rural counties, including surveys with 174 women and interviews with 21 participants. The mean age of the survey sample was 45.2 (SD = 13.2) years. Only 6.4% had ever been screened, yet 76.9% expressed willingness to self-collect samples for testing. Increased willingness was associated with cervical cancer awareness (OR = 3.49, 95% CI = 1.50–8.11), relying on health workers as primary sources of health information (OR = 1.88, CI = 1.23–2.86), or the news media (OR = 2.63, CI = 1.27–5.48). High cervical cancer stigma (OR = 0.71, CI = 0.57–0.88) and longer travel times of 30–120 min to a health facility (OR = 0.44, CI = 0.20–0.93) were linked to reduced willingness. Integration of the findings showed that comprehensive health promotion—through education, health worker endorsement, and mass media campaigns—may improve HPV self-sampling uptake and reduce the cervical cancer burden in rural Kenya.

Suggested Citation

  • Joyline Chepkorir & Nancy Perrin & Lucy Kivuti-Bitok & Joseph J. Gallo & Deborah Gross & Jean Anderson & Nancy R. Reynolds & Susan Wyche & Hillary Kibet & Vincent Kipkuri & Anastasha Cherotich & Hae-R, 2025. "Barriers and Opportunities for HPV Self-Sampling in Underserved Rural Communities: Insights from a Mixed Methods Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 22(5), pages 1-17, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:22:y:2025:i:5:p:783-:d:1656527
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