Study Finds Low Cervical Cancer Screening in Nigeria
Research across 10 sub-Saharan African countries highlights wide gaps in women's access to cervical cancer screening.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Cancer
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A study published October 17, 2026, in The Lancet Regional Health - Africa found that only 7.8 per cent of eligible Nigerian women surveyed had ever been screened for cervical cancer. The analysis of 1,957 women from 2022-2024 Demographic and Health Surveys covered 10 sub-Saharan African countries.
Why it matters
The findings point to significant disparities in cervical cancer prevention across the region, with screening access shaped by income, geography and health facility contact. Understanding these barriers is central to meeting the World Health Organization's goal of high-performance screening coverage.
The analysis covered 1,957 women in the 2022-2024 Demographic and Health Surveys, with Nigeria at 7.8 per cent, Ghana at 8.2 per cent, Kenya at 33.4 per cent and Lesotho at 64.1 per cent. The study measured lifetime screening only, so recent screening frequency across the countries remains unassessed.
The players
The Lancet Regional Health - Africa
A peer-reviewed open-access journal from The Lancet family that publishes research focused on health in the African region.
World Health Organization
The United Nations agency that sets global health targets, including its goal of 70 per cent high-performance cervical cancer screening coverage by 2030.
The details
Women in rural areas had 30 per cent lower odds of screening than urban women, and those in the richest households had nearly twice the odds of the poorest. Researchers attributed the gaps partly to transportation difficulties, limited health information, screening costs and uneven facility distribution.
Timeline
2022-2024: Demographic and Health Surveys data collected across the study countries.
October 17, 2026: Study published in The Lancet Regional Health - Africa.
2030: WHO target year for 70 per cent high-performance cervical cancer screening.
Health Landscape
The findings measure progress against the World Health Organization's cervical cancer elimination strategy, which sets a 2030 target of 70 per cent high-performance screening coverage. Most countries in the study remain well below that threshold, with only Lesotho approaching the midpoint.
Women who have not had a recent cervical screening may consider asking a health provider about eligibility and available screening options. Lower-cost access and nearer health facilities are factors researchers linked to higher screening rates.
The takeaway
Access barriers such as distance, cost and income shape who gets screened, so expanding local services may matter as much as public awareness. Tracking progress toward the 2030 target will show whether those gaps are narrowing.
Further reading
For more on prevention and early detection, explore our Cancer coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Tribune Online.
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