Effect of Communicative Behaviour in Health Care Provider-Patient Communication on Prevention and Management of Cervical Cancer among Women Seeking Treatment at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital Cancer Center in Kenya

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of communicative behaviour in health care provider-patient communication on prevention and management of cervical cancer among women seeking treatment at Moi Teaching and Referral hospital cancer center in Kenya. Methodology: This mixed-method descriptive study examined the effect of communicative behavior on the uptake of cervical cancer prevention and management among women at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) Cancer Center in Kenya. The target population was 4,500 women aged 18-65 seeking regular care at MTRH and their healthcare providers. A sample of 299 women and 32 providers was selected through purposive and stratified random sampling. Data was collected using questionnaires and interviews, with validity and reliability established through pilot testing. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, while qualitative data was thematically analyzed. Findings: The study found a positive correlation between effective healthcare provider-patient communication and increased patient engagement in cervical cancer prevention and management. However, patients reported a lack of clear explanations, perceived indifference from providers, and a general sense of being undervalued. This gap between expected and actual communication practices undermines the study's objective and indicates a need for interventions to foster more empathetic, respectful, and patient-centered communication strategies to improve health outcomes and promote greater uptake of prevention and management services. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The study demonstrates the critical role of effective healthcare provider-patient communication in influencing preventive health behaviors, providing a roadmap for targeted interventions at the institutional level, and underscoring the need for comprehensive policy support to equip providers with patient-centered communication competencies and elevate cervical cancer prevention in the public discourse.