Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41291704›Full record

ArticleBMC women's health2025

Screening for cervical cancer among adult women: a self-reported nationwide study in Ghana.

Benjamin Demah Nuertey, Joana Ansong, Edmond Banafo Nartey, Leveana Gyimah, Philip Teg-Nefaah Tabong, Pascal Kingsley Mwin, Emmanuel Parbie Abbeyquaye, Isaac Obeng Tandoh, Mary Efua Commeh, Patricia Rarau and 5 more

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Article in BMC women's health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing 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

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
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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

15 authors.

Benjamin Demah NuerteyWHO Ghana Country Office, P O Box M.B.142, 12 Agbaamo Street, Airport Residential Area, Accra, Ghana.
Joana AnsongWHO Ghana Country Office, P O Box M.B.142, 12 Agbaamo Street, Airport Residential Area, Accra, Ghana. ansongj@who.int.
Edmond Banafo NarteyWHO Ghana Country Office, P O Box M.B.142, 12 Agbaamo Street, Airport Residential Area, Accra, Ghana.
Leveana GyimahWHO Ghana Country Office, P O Box M.B.142, 12 Agbaamo Street, Airport Residential Area, Accra, Ghana.
Philip Teg-Nefaah TabongSchool of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.
Pascal Kingsley MwinWHO Ghana Country Office, P O Box M.B.142, 12 Agbaamo Street, Airport Residential Area, Accra, Ghana.
Emmanuel Parbie Abbeyquaye37 Military Hospital, Accra, Ghana.
Isaac Obeng TandohNCD Control Program, Ghana Health Service, Accra, Ghana.
Mary Efua CommehNCD Control Program, Ghana Health Service, Accra, Ghana.
Patricia RarauWHO Headquarters, Geneva, Switzerland.
Leanne RileyWHO Headquarters, Geneva, Switzerland.
Kouamivi Mawuenyegan AgboyiborWHO Regional Office, AFRO, Brazzaville, Congo.
Peter K PeprahGhana Statistical Service, Accra, Ghana.
Elsie KodjoePiedmont Athens Regional Hospital, Athens, Georgia.
Abraham HodgsonResearch Division, Ghana Health Service, Accra, Ghana.

Funding

World Health Organization 001
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundCervical cancer remains a significant global health challenge, despite advancements in screening and treatment. As one of the most preventable and curable cancers, its burden disproportionately affects women in low- and middle-income countries where access to screening programs and healthcare services is limited. Screening for cervical cancer has evolved significantly over the decades, with the advent of cytology-based Pap smears and more recently, human papillomavirus (HPV) testing, offering improved sensitivity and specificity in detecting precancerous lesions. Effective screening programs have led to a substantial reduction in cervical cancer incidence and mortality in many high-income countries. However, disparities persist due to variations in healthcare infrastructure, socioeconomic factors, and awareness levels among women. This manuscript explores uptake of screening test, type of tests and barriers to periodic uptake of screening among adult women in Ghana.

methodsA nationwide survey was conducted, using a nationally representative sample of 3,326 women aged 18 to 69, and the data were analyzed using Stata 17. The study forms part of the WHO STEPwise approach to NCD risk factor surveillance (STEPS).

resultsThe results showed generally low screening uptake, particularly among women aged 30–49, who are considered a high-risk group. The HPV-DNA test (70.42%) was the most reported screening method, while 29.58% of women were screened using the Pap smear. The primary barrier to screening uptake was a lack of knowledge about how or where to access testing services.

conclusionThe study highlights the need for increased community awareness and education on cervical cancer screening. Integrating cervical cancer screening education into routine sexual and reproductive health programs offers a promising approach to raising awareness and improving uptake, which could help reduce the burden of cervical cancer in Ghana.

Indexed as

Early Detection of CancerMass ScreeningPapillomavirus InfectionsPatient Acceptance of Health CareUterine Cervical NeoplasmsAdolescentAdultAgedFemaleGhanaHealth Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticeHuman Papillomavirus VirusesHumansMiddle AgedPapanicolaou TestSelf ReportAdult womenCervical cancerGhanaScreeningSelf-report

Identifiers

PMID41291704
PMCPMC12751129

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

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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.