UTERINE CERVIX CANCER IN KENYA: PREVALENCE AND ITS IMPACT ON HEALTH GOALS AND SOCIOECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

Uterine cervical cancer is a leading health problem among women. Majority (70%) cases are confined in Sub Saharan Africa (SSA), mainly associated with Human Papiloma Virus (HPV) of genotypes 16 and 18. Generally 85% of uterine cervical cancers are squamous cell cancers while, rest are adenocarcinomas. In Kenya majority of affected women never recognize this cancer for many years because of its silent clinical presentation. While in Developed countries the cancer is detected early due to accessible sustainable screening programs. Prolonged limited access to affordable and quality differential diagnosis, HPV antigen tests, and persistence low coverage screening programs in (SSA) have led to high levels of morbidities and mortalities associated with uterine cervix cancer which has impacted negatively on social economic and health Development in (SSA). It was these reasons that led to determine prevalence of uterine cervix cancer, a major challenge on health goal, using Pap stains in Kenyatta National Hospital, (KNH). In cross-sectional, 400 respondents were used in saturated sampling. Data was collected and analyzed from Pap slides and mounted in DPX mountant before microscopic differential report concluded. Results, 48% of women seeking healthcare in (KNH) were infected with HPV genotype 16 and 18 that cause cancer of cervix, Nevertheless prevalence of other related health risks in uterine and cervix fluctuate gradually. Women cohabiting HPV gene 16 and 18, have greater risk to develop cancer of cervix than to women with physically warts on vulva, with OD (4.9, 0.02) 95% CI (1.5, 0.3). Recommend primary prevention than cure