Accelerating Adoption of Patient-centered Cervical Cancer Screening and Treatment Linkage in Kenya

The highest global incidence of cervical cancer is in sub-Saharan Africa, and it is the leading cause of cancer mortality among women in Kenya. Barriers to cervical cancer screening and treatment have been identified at the patient-, provider-, and facility-level, demonstrating the need for a multi-strategy approach to enhance cervical cancer control. In this research study, formative qualitative research and clinic mapping processes were conducted with primary care clinics in Nairobi County to select contextually appropriate strategies targeting the primary barriers to cervical cancer screening and linkage to treatment in Nairobi, Kenya. This study seeks to evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of a care package designed to enhance the early detection and treatment of precancerous cervical lesions among women aged 25-49 years in Kenya.

Trained study staff will abstract patient data from existing clinic records to monitor and assess rates of cervical cancer screening and linkage to treatment.

Study staff at the intervention clinics (i.e., care coordinators) will motivate and support clinic staff to adhere to cervical cancer care guidelines. Care coordinators will use a mHealth platform (i.e., WEMA) tailored for use in primary care clinics in Kenya to track patient exit interview responses regarding uptake of HPV self-sampling kits and to support clinic staff by tracking cervical cancer screening, follow-up, and linkage to treatment, when appropriate. WEMA will serve as an information management system in the intervention clinics, providing a data dashboard to track patient follow-up and enable text communication with patients.

Inclusion criteria

• Women ages 25-49 years

Exclusion criteria

• Pregnant women
• Women ≤6 weeks postpartum
• Women already confirmed to have cervical cancer