Barriers to the uptake of cervical cancer screening methods in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) - a scoping review using framework thematic analysis.

This scoping review asks what factors shape women's uptake of cervical cancer screening in low- and middle-income countries. Analyzing 17 qualitative studies (2014–2022) through the Theoretical Domains Framework, the authors found that knowledge gaps and misconceptions, social influences, social roles, emotions, and beliefs about consequences were the key barriers. Stigma, gender inequalities, procedural fears, and mistrust of healthcare providers, which arose from discrepancies between clinicians' perspectives and women's cultural values, further reduced participation, especially in rural areas.