Self-reported use of internet by cervical cancer clients in two National Referral Hospitals in Kenya
Date
2012-10-09
Authors
Kivuti-Bitok, Lucy W
McDonnell, Geoff
Pokhariyal, Ganesh P
Roudsari, Abdul V
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
BioMed Central
Abstract
Abstract
Background: Cervical cancer remains a devastating disease in Kenya accounting for more than 2000 deaths each
year. Lack of information on cervical cancer prevention and management has been attributed to the apathy
among women in seeking health interventions. Use of internet-based and mobile e-health tools could increase
information access among cervical cancer patients. The objective of the study was; to establish the extent of use of
mobile phones and internet by cervical cancer patients in accessing information related to cancer treatment and
management.; find out the characteristics of patients associated with internet use and identify barriers faced by the
patients in internet use. A cross sectional descriptive survey of 199 cervical patients visiting the two main referral
hospitals in Kenya was done. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data.
Findings: The average length of illness was 2.43 years (SD ± 3.0). Only 7.5 %( n=15) reported to having used the
internet as a source of information. 92.5 %( n=184) did not use internet. With Multiple options, 70.9% did not know
how to use a computer, 29.2% did not have access to a computer, 14.6% lacked the money to use computers at
the local cyber cafe while other barriers identified accounted for 11.1%. Patients reported that the internet had an
important role in the management of cancer of the cervix in health education (17.6%), online consultation (14.6%),
booking of patients (13.6%), referrals (8.5%) and collecting data (7%). The 96.5% of the respondents who had access
to a mobile phone, recommended mobile phones for health education messages (31.7%), reminder alerts for
medication (29.7%) and booking appointments (21.6%). There was a statistically significant association between
income of the patients and internet use (p = 0.026) in this study.
Conclusions: There is low level use of the internet by cervical cancer clients attended in Public referral facilities in
Kenya. This was attributed to; lack of knowledge on how to use computers and lack of access to a computer. High
level of access to mobile phones was reported. This is an indicator of great potential for use of mobile phones in
the management of cervical cancer through short messaging services (sms), without internet connectivity. There is
even greater potential to internet use through web access via mobile phones.
Keywords: Internet use, Cervical cancer, E-health, Mobile phones, Kenya
Introduction
Worldwide, Cervical cancer causes approximately 46,000
deaths each year in women aged 15–49 years and is estimated
to account for 15% of all female cancers in developing
countries [1]. In Kenya, cervical cancer continues
to be a major health concern. Estimates indicate that
every year 2635 women are diagnosed with cervical
cancer and 2111 die from the disease [2]. It is also projected
that in 2025, there will be 4074 new cases of
cervical cancer in Kenya
Description
BioMed Central
Keywords
Citation
Kivuti-Bitok, L., McDonnell, G., Pokhariyal, G., & Roudsari, A. (2012). Self-reported use of internet by cervical cancer clients in two National Referral Hospitals in Kenya. BMC Research Notes, 5(1), 559