Cervical cancer screening among women: A systematic literature review

Abstract

Background: Cervical cancer is one of the major concerns of public health importance in today's world. It is a leading cause of mortality in women of reproductive age group worldwide, mainly in developing countries. It is almost always associated with human papilloma virus (HPV) infection. Reduction in mortality and morbidity due to cervical cancer is possible through early detection as a first step. Purpose: To investigate about cervical cancer screening among women. Method: A systematic literature review approach was employed to gather and assess data from PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar. The keywords "cervical cancer screening," "adult women," "pap smear," "HPV vaccination," "behavior," and/or "health belief" were utilized for this purpose. A total of 79 items were identified. In all, the study comprised 7 papers that satisfied the specified criteria. Following that, we carry out a methodical examination and evaluation of the chosen papers in the current literature. Results: Variables associated with cervical cancer screening including Pap smear, the impact of HPV vaccination, behavioral patterns, and health-related views. Health beliefs frequently act as the main driving force for persons to voluntarily get cervical cancer screening. Preventive cervical cancer screening enables early detection, so potentially averting the development of the illness or limiting its progression. Conclusion: To advance the objective of eliminating cervical cancer as a global public health concern, it is necessary to enhance the accessibility and involvement in screening interventions.