Determinants of cervical cancer screening utilisation among women in the least developed countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

<h4>Background and aims</h4>Globally, cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women, and more than 90% of all cervical cancer-related deaths worldwide are recorded in resource-limited countries. The present review investigated the uptake rate of cervical cancer screening a...

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Main Authors: Tika Rana, Dorothy Ngo Sheung Chan, Bernard Man Hin Law, Kai Chow Choi, Sunil Shrestha, Winnie Kwok Wei So
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2025-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0321627
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author Tika Rana
Dorothy Ngo Sheung Chan
Bernard Man Hin Law
Kai Chow Choi
Sunil Shrestha
Winnie Kwok Wei So
author_facet Tika Rana
Dorothy Ngo Sheung Chan
Bernard Man Hin Law
Kai Chow Choi
Sunil Shrestha
Winnie Kwok Wei So
author_sort Tika Rana
collection DOAJ
description <h4>Background and aims</h4>Globally, cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women, and more than 90% of all cervical cancer-related deaths worldwide are recorded in resource-limited countries. The present review investigated the uptake rate of cervical cancer screening and identified the factors associated with screening service utilisation in the female populations of least developed countries (LDCs).<h4>Methods</h4>Five electronic databases (EMBASE, Ovid MEDLINE, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, and PubMed) and grey literature were searched for relevant literature using the keywords of the included studies. Both qualitative and quantitative studies were included. Three reviewers performed critical appraisals using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Meta-analysis was performed to pool the quantitative results from comparable studies.<h4>Results</h4>A total of twenty-five studies were included in the review. The cervical cancer screening uptake rate in LDCs ranged from 4% to 21%. Multiple factors were associated with screening service utilisation among women in the LDCs, namely socio-demographic characteristics, including employment status (odds ratio (OR): 2.72; 95% CI: 1.97-3.76; p < 0.001); knowledge of cervical cancer and its screening (OR: 3.39; 95% CI: 2.00-5.75; p < 0.001); sexual and reproductive health-related factors such as parity status (OR: 2.73; 95% CI: 1.61-4.64; p = 0.002); healthcare providers' recommendations (OR: 5.32; 95% CI: 2.44-11.58; p < 0.001); perceived risk of developing cervical cancer (OR: 3.76; 95% CI: 2.62-5.38; p < 0.001); use of media for cervical cancer screening promotion, including radio; cultural factors; and myths and misconceptions about cervical cancer and its screening.<h4>Conclusions</h4>The uptake of cervical cancer screening among eligible women in the LDCs was notably low. The governments of these countries are advised to invest and allocate additional resources to advance policies and develop cervical cancer prevention programmes that are accessible, affordable, and acceptable.
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spelling doaj-art-509df4fa8ee148798cce919077bbe6542025-08-20T03:58:36ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032025-01-01206e032162710.1371/journal.pone.0321627Determinants of cervical cancer screening utilisation among women in the least developed countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Tika RanaDorothy Ngo Sheung ChanBernard Man Hin LawKai Chow ChoiSunil ShresthaWinnie Kwok Wei So<h4>Background and aims</h4>Globally, cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women, and more than 90% of all cervical cancer-related deaths worldwide are recorded in resource-limited countries. The present review investigated the uptake rate of cervical cancer screening and identified the factors associated with screening service utilisation in the female populations of least developed countries (LDCs).<h4>Methods</h4>Five electronic databases (EMBASE, Ovid MEDLINE, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, and PubMed) and grey literature were searched for relevant literature using the keywords of the included studies. Both qualitative and quantitative studies were included. Three reviewers performed critical appraisals using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Meta-analysis was performed to pool the quantitative results from comparable studies.<h4>Results</h4>A total of twenty-five studies were included in the review. The cervical cancer screening uptake rate in LDCs ranged from 4% to 21%. Multiple factors were associated with screening service utilisation among women in the LDCs, namely socio-demographic characteristics, including employment status (odds ratio (OR): 2.72; 95% CI: 1.97-3.76; p < 0.001); knowledge of cervical cancer and its screening (OR: 3.39; 95% CI: 2.00-5.75; p < 0.001); sexual and reproductive health-related factors such as parity status (OR: 2.73; 95% CI: 1.61-4.64; p = 0.002); healthcare providers' recommendations (OR: 5.32; 95% CI: 2.44-11.58; p < 0.001); perceived risk of developing cervical cancer (OR: 3.76; 95% CI: 2.62-5.38; p < 0.001); use of media for cervical cancer screening promotion, including radio; cultural factors; and myths and misconceptions about cervical cancer and its screening.<h4>Conclusions</h4>The uptake of cervical cancer screening among eligible women in the LDCs was notably low. The governments of these countries are advised to invest and allocate additional resources to advance policies and develop cervical cancer prevention programmes that are accessible, affordable, and acceptable.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0321627
spellingShingle Tika Rana
Dorothy Ngo Sheung Chan
Bernard Man Hin Law
Kai Chow Choi
Sunil Shrestha
Winnie Kwok Wei So
Determinants of cervical cancer screening utilisation among women in the least developed countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
PLoS ONE
title Determinants of cervical cancer screening utilisation among women in the least developed countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
title_full Determinants of cervical cancer screening utilisation among women in the least developed countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
title_fullStr Determinants of cervical cancer screening utilisation among women in the least developed countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
title_full_unstemmed Determinants of cervical cancer screening utilisation among women in the least developed countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
title_short Determinants of cervical cancer screening utilisation among women in the least developed countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
title_sort determinants of cervical cancer screening utilisation among women in the least developed countries a systematic review and meta analysis
url https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0321627
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