A new study has revealed that fewer than one in four Kenyan women have ever been screened for cervical cancer, underscoring persistent gaps in women’s health care despite nationwide prevention campaigns.
The research, published in BMC Women’s Health, found that just 23.7 per cent of women aged 25 and above attending infant immunisation clinics had undergone cervical cancer screening.
Even among those who had been tested, most were screened only once in their lifetime.
The findings raise concern over the country’s ability to detect and treat the disease early — a crucial step in reducing cervical cancer deaths.
“Cervical cancer screening uptake in Kenya remains alarmingly low, even among women who are already interacting with the health system,” the study notes.
HIV-Positive Women More Likely to Be Screened
The study, which analysed data from 970 women across 55 immunisation clinics in high and low HIV-burden counties between 2018 and 2019, found that women living with HIV (WLWH) were nearly twice as likely to have been screened compared to HIV-negative women.
About 32.3 per cent of HIV-positive women reported prior screening, versus 16.3 per cent of HIV-negative women.
Researchers attributed this difference to the integration of cervical cancer screening into HIV care programmes, which provide more consistent access to health services.
Low Follow-Up After Abnormal Results
Equally worrying is the lack of follow-up care. Only 18 per cent of women who received abnormal results reported getting treatment or further tests — a critical breakdown in the continuum of care.
“Screening alone is not enough,” the report cautioned. “Without effective referral and treatment systems, women remain at risk even after testing.”
Employment and Location Influence Screening Rates
Employment status and geography were also key predictors. Employed women were more likely to be screened than those unemployed, while women in counties with a high HIV burden showed higher testing rates — reflecting stronger healthcare infrastructure in those areas.
Among HIV-positive women, those on antiretroviral therapy for more than two years had the highest likelihood of being screened, suggesting that longer engagement with healthcare increases access to preventive services.
Cervical Cancer Still a Leading Killer
Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among Kenyan women and one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths.
According to the Ministry of Health, Kenya records about 5,236 new cases and 3,211 deaths annually — most of them from late diagnosis.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) emphasises that regular screening — through Pap smears, HPV DNA testing, or visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) — can prevent up to 80 per cent of cervical cancer deaths if combined with timely treatment.
However, many primary care facilities in Kenya still face shortages of trained personnel, equipment, and awareness campaigns, limiting access to preventive and treatment services.
Preventable but Persistent
Despite being largely preventable through HPV vaccination, regular screening, and early treatment, cervical cancer continues to claim lives due to poor access, low awareness, and inadequate follow-up care.
Globally, cervical cancer remains the fourth most common cancer among women, with 660,000 new cases and 350,000 deaths recorded in 2022 — 90 per cent of which occurred in low- and middle-income countries.
Health experts say that expanding screening beyond HIV clinics, improving referral systems, and boosting public awareness could help Kenya make major strides in reducing the disease burden.