Drivers of cervical cancer prevention and management in sub-Saharan Africa: a qualitative synthesis of mixed studies

Abstract

Background Cervical cancer is a public health concern in the sub-Saharan Africa region. Cervical cancer screening is one of the strategies for detecting early precancerous lesions. However, many women have poor access to and utilization of screening services in the region. This review aimed to synthesize evidence on the challenges and opportunities of screening, early detection and management of cervical cancer in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods We conducted a structured narrative review of studies published in English. We included studies published from 1 January 2013 to mid-2022. Studies were selected following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Key search terms (detractors and enablers, cervical cancer screening, sub-Saharan Africa) were employed to identify studies from three electronic databases (HINARI, Science Direct, and PubMed). We also conducted searches on Google Scholar to identify relevant grey literatures. A thematic analysis was conducted and themes were identified, then explained using a socio-ecological framework (intrapersonal, interpersonal, organizational, community, policy levels). Results We identified 60 studies in the final review. Cervical cancer screening and early detection and management programmes are influenced by drivers at multiple levels. Individual-level drivers included a lack of knowledge about cervical cancer and screening literacy, and a low risk in perception, attitude, susceptibility and perceived fear of test results, as well as sociodemographic characteristics of women. Interpersonal drivers were community embarrassment, women’s relationships with health workers, support and encouragement, the presence of peers or relatives to model preventive behaviour, and the mothers’ networks with others. At the organizational level, influencing factors were related to providers (cervical cancer screening practice, training, providers’ profession type, skill of counselling and sex, expert recommendation and work commitments). At the community level, drivers of cervical cancer screening included stigma, social–cultural norms, social networks and beliefs. System- and policy-level drivers were lack of nearby facilities and geographic remoteness, resource allocation and logistics management, cost of screening, promotion policy, ownership and management, lack of decentralized cancer policy and lack of friendly infrastructure. Conclusions There were several drivers in the implementation of cervical cancer screening programmes at multiple levels. Prevention and management of cervical cancer programmes requires multilevel strategies to be implemented across the individual level (users), community and organizational levels (providers and community users), and system and policy levels. The design and implementation of policies and programmes need to address the multilevel challenges.

Baseline assessment of cervical cancer screening and treatment capacity in 25 counties in Kenya, 2022

“…Since level 2 and 3 hospitals constitute the majority of the hospitals, they should be enabled to offer cervical cancer screening and treatment by ensuring adequately trained staff and essential health commodities. Availability of screening services in nearby hospitals has been identified as one of the determinants of screening uptake ( 28 ). Additional service provision points at hospitals need to integrate cervical cancer screening to their routine service provision, to reduce missed opportunities for screening when women visit for other services.…”