Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40275283›Full record

ArticleBMC public health2025

Barriers of organized cervical cancer screening in Albania and Montenegro.

Marcell Csanádi, Kozeta Filipi, Alban Ylli, Bajram Dedja, Anila Bejko, Ivana Nikcevic Kovacevic, Jovana Vukovic-Lekovic, Milica Stanisic, Adrijana Vujovic, George Dennis Obeng and 3 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC public health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

13 authors.

Marcell CsanádiSyreon Research Institute, Budapest, Hungary.
Kozeta FilipiInstitute of Public Health of Albania, Tirana, Albania.
Alban YlliInstitute of Public Health of Albania, Tirana, Albania.
Bajram DedjaInstitute of Public Health of Albania, Tirana, Albania.
Anila BejkoUniversity Hospital Centre, "Mbreteresha Geraldine", Tirana, Albania.
Ivana Nikcevic KovacevicInstitute of Public Health of Montenegro, Podgorica, Montenegro.
Jovana Vukovic-LekovicInstitute of Public Health of Montenegro, Podgorica, Montenegro.
Milica StanisicInstitute of Public Health of Montenegro, Podgorica, Montenegro.
Adrijana VujovicInstitute of Public Health of Montenegro, Podgorica, Montenegro.
George Dennis ObengSyreon Research Africa, Accra, Ghana.
Inge M C M de KokDepartment of Public Health, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Zoltán VokóCenter for Health Technology Assessment, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary. voko.zoltan@semmelweis.hu.
Orsolya VargaSyreon Research Institute, Budapest, Hungary.

Funding

European Commission 965014
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundOrganized cervical screening is vital for preventing cervical cancer. However, many existing screening programs fail to achieve their full potential, as demonstrated by core performance indicators. There are barriers that hinder the implementation and reduce effectiveness of the programs. This article explores barriers of cervical cancer screening in two Southeastern European countries, Albania and Montenegro, aiming to inform targeted strategies to improve healthcare equity and outcomes for women.

methodsThe barrier assessment followed the EU-TOPIA framework, designed to identify barriers to effective breast-, cervical-, or colon cancer screening. This approach relies on an iterative process performed by country representatives responsible for screening and researchers with expertise in screening program planning and evaluation. It includes three steps: comprehensive description of screening activities; identification of key barriers via a previously published tool; and comprehensive assessment of the identified key barriers.

resultsThe barrier assessment revealed shared challenges in cervical cancer screening in Albania and Montenegro. Both countries face difficulties in their invitation systems, limited outreach activities, and low participation rates. Fully integrated data systems at national level are absent, hindering program monitoring and data sharing. Financial constraints and resource limitations negatively affect program sustainability and quality, reducing public awareness and accessibility. Additionally, neither country has comprehensive up-to-date long-term strategies to support prevention and early detection efforts.

conclusionsOur study underscores the importance of addressing organizational barriers in cervical cancer screening to improve program effectiveness and accessibility. Aligning screening practices with EU and WHO standards is crucial for Albania and Montenegro as prospective EU members. Lessons from international best practices, such as integrating IT systems, employing multi-channel outreach strategies, and adopting legally supported long-term policies, offer actionable pathways for improvement. Policymakers should prioritize sustainable funding, centralized systems, and innovative approaches to overcome structural challenges.

Indexed as

Early Detection of CancerHealth Services AccessibilityUterine Cervical NeoplasmsAdultAlbaniaFemaleHumansMiddle AgedMontenegroBarriers of screeningCervical cancerOrganized cancer screeningSoutheastern Europe

Identifiers

PMID40275283
PMCPMC12020179

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.