Barriers to uptake of cervical cancer screening services in low-and-middle-income countries: a systematic review

Abstract

This report is a significant contribution to the global effort to eliminate cervical cancer. It is a critical first step to better understand the barriers to access across LMICs where the burden of cervical cancer is greatest. It comprehensively maps out key barriers to preventative screening within evidence to date, and presents recommendations for research, policy and practice to address them. Such review is critical. Without a clear picture of which women are not getting screened and why, meaningful and inclusive interventions that benefit all women cannot occur. Importantly, the report answers the increasing call for more robust evidence on who is benefiting and who is being missed in relation to health interventions such as cervical cancer screening to better address health inequities.