A Systematic Review of Healthcare Professionals and Women’s Experiences and Perceptions of Colposcopy Method of Cervical Cancer Screening in Nigeria

Background: Cervical cancer continues to pose a significant public health issue in Nigeria, characterized by high rates of incidence and mortality. Colposcopy is integral to the cervical cancer screening process and its early detection. However, the uptake of colposcopy screening in Nigeria remains suboptimal, with various factors contributing to this phenomenon. Comprehending the experiences and perceptions of healthcare professionals and patients concerning colposcopy for cervical cancer screening is vital to enhance screening initiatives and alleviate the impact of cervical cancer in Nigeria. This systematic review aims to identify the gap in knowledge and synthesize the existing literature on the experiences and perceptions of healthcare professionals and patients regarding colposcopy for cervical cancer screening in Nigeria.
\nMethods: A comprehensive search of the literature was conducted in Academic search elite, African journals online (AJOL), CINAHL, MBASE, psycho info, Cochrane, Medline (via PubMed) and Scopus databases from 2010 until March 2023. The quality of the included studies was assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal tool. Thematic analysis was deployed to synthesize the extracted data.
\nResults: Fourteen (14) studies satisfied the inclusion criteria. Most studies were conducted in developed countries and urban settings. The review revealed key themes that were categorized into four: insufficient knowledge/awareness, emotional factors, cultural/religious factors, and organizational/systemic factors.
\nConclusion: The review identified barriers to colposcopy screening in Nigeria, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to improve cervical cancer screening rates. Hence, the need for a qualitative study in rural parts of Nigeria to explore the in-depth understanding of patients' and healthcare professionals’ regarding colposcopy screening utilization.