Integration of Cervical Cancer Screening Services in the Routine Examinations Offered in the Kenyan Health Facilities: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women and the leading cause of deaths among women worldwide. In Kenya, uptake of screening services is at 3.2% below the targeted of 70%. Therefore, there is need to study the factors that lead to low uptake of the screening services. One way of increasing the uptake of the screening services is its integration with other routine services, thus leading to a reduction in morbidity and mortality rates associated with the disease. The objective of this study was to review and examine the importance of integrating cervical cancer screening services in the routine examinations offered in the Kenyan health facilities. A retrospective study design was adopted by this study. The review of articles, journals, strategic plans was done from the year 2012 to 2017. Data sources included Medline, PMC, Library, Pubmed, Google scholar, cancer prevention plans and strategies. About 28 data sources were reviewed with 78.5% indicating that increased knowledge and creation of awareness on cervical cancer would greatly improve the utilization of the screening services. More than 87% of the information collected among published work in Kenya demonstrated that knowledge on importance cervical cancer screening is inadequate. The primary results of this study suggest that all women of reproductive age (WRA) should undergo cervical cancer screening as a routine service. An integration approach should be adopted, to enhance knowledge on cervical cancer and the importance of screening, causes, preventive and treatment options. The study recommends that, the Government of Kenya through the Ministry of health should include cervical cancer screening as a routine procedure for all WRA.