Barriers to HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening in developing countries

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, a leading cause of cervical cancer in women, is a significant public health concern, especially in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) where access to healthcare is limited. High HPV vaccination coverage is crucial for herd immunity against cervical cancer in LMICs. While developed countries have introduced a considerable amount of HPV vaccines (80%), the introduction in LMICs is low (41%) due to significant barriers that limit access to these essential health services in the region. This review identifies key obstacles and proposes targeted interventions to improve HPV vaccination uptake and cervical cancer screening in LMICs. This narrative review was carried out by searching various databases, such as PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science, as well as resources from health organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO), for articles on HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening in LMICs, published between October 2005 and December 2024, using specific keywords. The review included English-language publications that met predefined criteria, facilitating secondary data analysis. Several barriers to HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening services exist in LMICs, including limited healthcare infrastructure, insufficient health education, cultural and social norms, vaccine hesitancy, and inadequate governmental support. To address these challenges, recommended strategies include implementing sustainable financing, government subsidies, price negotiations with pharmaceutical companies, increasing healthcare facilities, fostering public-private partnerships, launching targeted awareness campaigns, engaging men in health education, and ensuring community involvement in decision-making processes. To achieve the WHO’s goal of eradicating cervical cancer by 2030, addressing barriers to cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination in LMICs is crucial for lowering the cervical cancer burden and enhancing women’s health. Moreover, prioritizing equitable access to these essential services, especially for individuals in rural areas and those facing financial barriers, is necessary.