Uptake of cervical cancer screening among sex workers living with HIV in Nairobi, Kenya: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Hospitals within Nairobi County, Kenya, offer cervical cancer screening services. However, most female sex workers do not seek this service.

Objective: To determine uptake of cervical cancer screening among female sex workers living with HIV in Nairobi, Kenya.

Design: A descriptive cross-sectional study.

Methods: Computerized simple random sampling was used to select 75 study participants who met the inclusion criteria; data were collected using a structured questionnaire. The study was carried out among female sex workers living with HIV in Nairobi, Kenya, attending the Sex Workers Outreach Program.

Results: 40% (n = 30) of respondents were aged 18-25 years. Only 45.3% (34) had been screened for cervical cancer within the last 1 year. 65.3% (n = 49) of respondents knew that cervical cancer affects the cervix but were not aware of what caused the disease. 77.6% (n = 58) found the 8 am-5 pm health facility opening hours a hinderance to seeking services and 66.7% (n = 50) found the screening method uncomfortable. Cultural practices and beliefs fostered stigma in 39.2% (n = 29) of the sex workers; hence, they did not seek out services.

Conclusion: Lack of information, cultural barriers, and facility operating hours prevent female sex workers living with HIV from getting tested for cervical cancer. These barriers once addressed could improve cervical cancer screening uptake among this high-risk population.