Utilisation of community audio towers in health education for prevention of cervical cancer by health workers in kyotera district, uganda: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Purpose: Community audio towers (CATs) are a communication resource that can be utilized by public health practitioners to enhance health communication in rural and peri-urban settings. However, information on availability of this channel of communication for use in health education and promotion remains scanty. We determined the availability of CATs for use in cervical cancer health education among health workers for prevention of cervical cancer in Kyotera District, Uganda. Methods: Using a cross-sectional study design, health workers were randomly selected from health facilities in Kyotera District. Eligible participants were health workers who had worked in the district for at least one year. A pre-tested study questionnaire was self-administered. Descriptive statistics were used to determine availability and use of CATs, while factors associated with the use of CATs were determined by logistic regression analysis. Results: Between March and April 2020, 160 health workers were enrolled, and of these, 102 (63.8%) were females and 69 (43.1%) were nurses. Most of them, ie, 143 (89.4%) reported that CATs were within walkable distance from their workplaces; 140 (87.5%) indicated that CATs are conveniently located, and 129 (80.6%) reported that it was easy to secure airtime to sensitise communities on health issues. Only 26 (16.3%) had ever used CATs for cervical cancer health education. Health workers at facilities without a plan that includes CATs as a channel of health communication were less likely to utilise CATs (OR = 0.04, 95% CI (0.0043–0.37), p = 0.005) while those who had ever managed a patient with cervical cancer (OR = 16.48, 95% CI (3.4–79.7), p < 0.001) were more likely to utilise CATs. Conclusion: Although CATs were deemed readily available, there was low utilisation for cervical cancer education and promotion of preventive services by health workers. Health facilities need to strategically include CATs in their plans to increase utilisation.