Abstract:
Background
In western Kenya, women often present with late-stage cervical cancer despite prior contact with the
health care system. The aim of this study was to predict primary health care providers’ behaviour in
examining women who present with abnormal discharge or bleeding
Methods
This was a cross-sectional survey using the theory of planned behaviour (TPB). A sample of primary
health care practitioners in western Kenya completed a 59-item questionnaire. Structural equation
modelling was used to identify the determinants of providers’ intention to perform a gynaecological
examination. Bivariate analysis was conducted to investigate the relationship between the external
variables and intention.
Results
Direct subjective norms, direct perceived behavioural control (PBC), and indirect measures of attitude
predicted the intention to examine patients. Negative attitudes toward examining women had a
suppressor effect on the prediction of health workers’ intentions. However, the main predictors with the
highest coe