Unequal Access: Healthcare Disparities in Cervical Cancer Screening Among African Women

Using the structural intersectionality framework, world-system and the fundamental causes of diseases theories, and cross-sectional data of 61,543 women from the Population-Based HIV Impact Assessment Project conducted in Tanzania, Rwanda, Malawi, and Zimbabwe, this study examines the intersection of structural factors associated with inequalities in cervical cancer screening among women within the underdeveloped African countries. The findings suggest deeper-rooted intersecting structural factors that inhibit (or affect) the likelihood of being screened for cervical cancer in a lifetime among the marginalized (lower educated and poor) populations across the studied countries. There is also a significant rural-urban divide in the effect of socioeconomic status (SES) on cervical cancer screening, with rural women with lower education having a lower likelihood of being tested in Rwanda and Zimbabwe. Unexpectedly, rural-educated women in Tanzania and Malawi had a lower likelihood of being tested for cervical cancer in their lifetime compared to urban women. This research highlights the importance of implementing inclusive policy interventions that integrate new technologies in cervical cancer screening among marginalized women with multiple identities, as well as strengthening the roles of healthcare providers in reminding patients about the significance of regular screening in Africa. This is essential for Africa to keep pace with the advancements in cervical cancer screening strategies seen in the developed world.