The Role of Gynecology Nurses in Promoting Cervical Cancer Screening Awareness and Uptake in Pakistan: A Narrative Review

Vollständiger Abstract

Worum geht es in dieser Arbeit?

Introduction: Cervical cancer remains a major yet largely preventable health concern among women in Pakistan, where prevention is hindered by low awareness, sociocultural stigma, fear of gynecological examination, limited access to screening services, and a shortage of female healthcare providers. Objective: This narrative review synthesizes available evidence on cervical cancer screening awareness and uptake in Pakistan and explores how gynecology nurses can support prevention through education, counseling, community outreach, screening facilitation, referral guidance, and follow-up care. Methods: A structured narrative literature search was conducted using PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, CINAHL, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and relevant organizational reports, prioritizing literature published between 2015 and 2025. Following screening and eligibility assessment, 40 sources were included in the final narrative synthesis. Results: The reviewed evidence indicates that screening uptake in Pakistan is limited by inadequate knowledge, low perceived risk, embarrassment, stigma, cost, transportation difficulties, weak preventive health infrastructure, and the absence of organized screening pathways. Findings from Pakistan and comparable low-resource settings suggest that gynecology nurses are well positioned to improve screening awareness and access by providing culturally sensitive education, building trust, guiding women through available services, and supporting timely referral and follow-up. Conclusion: Strengthening the role of gynecology nurses through structured training, institutional protocols, and community-based outreach may improve cervical cancer screening awareness and support women’s access to preventive care in Pakistan.