Facilitators and barriers to cervical cancer screening among women living with HIV: a systematic review of qualitative studies.

BACKGROUND

Evidence suggests that 58% of new cervical cancer cases worldwide occur among women living with HIV. However, compared with HIV-negative women, this population has significantly poorer access to healthcare services for cervical cancer screening. There is a need to better understand the factors influencing their uptake of cervical cancer screening within the context of their lives. This study aims to objectively evaluate and synthesize qualitative studies on the facilitators and barriers to cervical cancer screening among women living with HIV.

METHODS

A systematic search was conducted in four databases-Web of Science, Embase, PubMed, and CINAHL-covering the period from January 2000 to December 2024. The included studies were qualitatively reviewed according to the Enhancing Transparency in Reporting the Synthesis of Qualitative Research (ENTREQ) guidelines. A meta-aggregative approach was used to summarize and categorize the identified facilitators and barriers.

RESULTS

A total of 10 articles were included in the study, identifying 27 facilitators and 79 barriers. These factors were categorized into two main themes and six sub-themes.

CONCLUSION

Women living with HIV face specific barriers to participating in cervical cancer screening. The findings of this review provide evidence to promote cervical cancer screening in this vulnerable population. Future research should focus on increasing the engagement of women living with HIV in cervical cancer screening to develop new strategies for their long-term participation and to contribute to the elimination of cervical cancer at local and global levels.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: identifier [CRD42024498012].