Integrative review of cervical cancer screening in Western Asian and Middle Eastern Arab countries

Abstract

Population-based screening programs have resulted in minimizing mortality and morbidity from cervical cancer. The aim of this integrative review was to explore the factors influencing access of women from Western Asian and Middle Eastern Arab countries to cervical cancer screening. A systematic search for studies conducted in Arab countries in those regions, and published in English between January 2002 and January 2017, was undertaken. Thirteen papers were selected and subjected to quality appraisal. A three step analysis was used, which involved a summary of the evidence, analysis of both quantitative and qualitative data, and integration of the results in narrative form. Few population-based cervical cancer screening programs had been implemented in the relevant countries, with low knowledge of, and perceptions about, cervical screening among Arab women, the majority of whom are Muslim. Factors affecting the uptake of cervical cancer screening practices were the absence of organized, systematic programs, low screening knowledge among women, healthcare professionals' attitudes toward screening, pain and embarrassment, stigma, and sociocultural beliefs. Policy changes are urgently needed to promote population-based screening programs. Future research should address the promotion of culturally-sensitive strategies to enable better access of Arab Muslim women to cervical cancer screening.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Cervical Cancer Screening among Omani Women Attending Primary Healthcare Centers in Oman: A Cross-Sectional

“…In Oman, cervical cancer is the third most common cancer among women aged 15-44 years (Catalan Institute of Oncology/International Agency for Research on Cancer Information Centre on HPV and Cancer, 2019). Combined with the absence of a well-structured national screening program, lack of knowledge regarding the availability of the test is believed to be the main reasons for the high incidence of cervical cancer in this region (Ortashi et al, 2013;Ali et al, 2017). Previous research by Nasar et al, (2016) indicates that the majority of Omani women attending a tertiary teaching institute had heard of cervical cancer; however, the women lacked specific knowledge regarding cervical cancer signs and symptoms, risk factors, and Pap smear testing.…”

Reasons for non-attendance to cervical cancer screening and acceptability of HPV self-sampling among Bruneian women: A cross-sectional study

“…It is not surprising then that almost twothirds of the women who cited this as their main barrier declined to take part in HPV self-sampling part. As our study participants are predominantly Malays and thus of Islamic faith, religious and cultural modesty could also be a contributing factor for embarrassment among Muslim women [24].…”

Human Papillomavirus Infection and Cervical Dysplasia in a Subset of Arab American Women

“…Population-based screening programs have resulted in minimizing mortality and morbidity from cervical cancer. 6 AA are a rapidly growing ethnic minority in the United States with a growth rate of 72% from 2000 to 2010. 5 They are also particularly understudied with regard to preventive health behaviors, in part because this population is classified as “White” by the U.S. government, leaving them overlooked, and rendering them effectively invisible as an ethnic minority, and also leading to a lack of research being conducted with this population.…”

“…In Middle Eastern countries, the Pap smear is less utilized, and organized screening programs for cervical cancer is limited. 6 This results in a large percentage of women who are under or never screened. 7 As a result, mortality rates for cervical cancer in the Middle East are disproportionately high when compared with developed countries, and the majority of cases are diagnosed at later stages.…”