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ORIGINAL RESEARCH article
Front. Cancer Control Soc.
Sec. Behavioural Aspects in Cancer Screening and Diagnosis
Volume 3 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fcacs.2025.1557363
This article is part of the Research Topic Behavioral Research into Acceptability of Cancer Early Diagnosis View all 4 articles
Common sources, perceived communication efficacy and sufficiency of Cervical Cancer Information, Education and Communication materials for Women with HIV/AIDS in Rural Kenya
Provisionally accepted
SCHOLASTIC Musakali ADELI 1*
Elkana Omenge Orang'o 2,3
Violet Naanyu 1 Ann Mwangi 1 Peter Itsura 2 Barry Rosen 4- 1 Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya
- 2 School of Medicine, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya
- 3 Aga Khan University (Kenya), Nairobi, Kenya
- 4 Corewell Health West, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States
Introduction: Cervical cancer is the greatest cause of cancer-related death among women in Sub-Saharan Africa, with particularly high incidence and mortality rates in rural regions. In Kenya, Women with HIV/AIDS (WLHA) are at a greater risk of developing cervical cancer though screening rate remains low. Information, education and communication (IEC) materials play a crucial role in raising awareness, promoting screening, and supporting early detection and treatment; however, little is known about the accessibility, content, and perceived effectiveness of these materials from the perspective of WLHA.The objective of this study was to determine the common sources, perceived communication efficacy and sufficiency of IEC materials among WLHA and attending clinics in Webuye and Mosoriot both which are health facilities in rural Kenya. Data were collected using a researcher administered questionnaire for 380 WLHA and an IEC checklist for 20 Key stakeholders resulting in a total sample size of 400 participants.Results: Sixteen sources of information were identified, with the most common and preferred being radio, health professionals, support groups, chief's mabaraza and posters. Indicators for communicative efficacy revealed that cervical cancer IEC print materials were not effective in format (77%), the location where they are placed (60%), and graphical appeal (50%). Additionally, 66% of participants found the IEC materials insufficient, inaccessible, and inappropriate.Discussion: While a variety of cervical cancer IEC materials exist, WLHA in rural Kenya perceive significant gaps in the availability and effectiveness of these materials. Some IEC materials are preferred because they offer direct interaction, cultural relevance, and broader outreach.
Keywords: Information Education and Communication (IEC), materials, Women with HIV/AIDS(WLHA), cervical cancer, Perception
Received: 08 Jan 2025; Accepted: 19 Mar 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 ADELI, Orang'o, Naanyu, Mwangi, Itsura and Rosen. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence:
SCHOLASTIC Musakali ADELI, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya
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