SynthesisBMJ open2026
Determinants of cervical screening in Ghana: a systematic review.
Synthesis in BMJ open, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
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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.
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.
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Who cites it
0 citing papers in PubMed.
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Authors and funding
10 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundCervical cancer remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among women in Ghana, yet screening coverage is extremely low and organised national programmes are limited. Although several studies have examined determinants of screening, no comprehensive synthesis has summarised the evidence to guide effective policy and intervention design.
objectiveTo synthesise existing evidence on determinants of cervical screening in Ghana and identify opportunities to strengthen national screening strategies.
designThis is a systematic review conducted following Aromataris and Pearson's methodology and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Searches across PubMed Central, CINAHL, Web of Science, Scopus and grey literature (January 2000-July 2025) identified studies reporting barriers and facilitators of cervical screening in Ghana. Risk of bias was assessed using standard appraisal tools.
settingThis study was conducted in the context of Ghana.
resultsOf 7833 records screened, 32 studies met inclusion criteria. Barriers to cervical screening spanned individual, interpersonal, health system, socio-cultural and structural factors, including poor knowledge, fear, limited access, financial constraints and social norms. Facilitators included knowledge and awareness, provider recommendation, social support, positive health perceptions, healthcare access and cost-related enablers. Overall, 23 studies were rated low risk of bias, while nine were rated moderate risk of bias.
conclusionCervical screening behaviour in Ghana is influenced by structural, cultural, psychological and informational factors. The reviewed evidence suggests that these determinants do not operate in isolation but interact in ways that may vary across contexts and populations. OSF REGISTRATION NUMBER: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/M4XKT.
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