Mapping community-based health promotion strategies for cervical cancer screening uptake: A scoping review of intervention components, delivery models and implementation gaps

Abstract

Objectives To map community-based health-promotion strategies used to improve cervical cancer screening uptake and to identify intervention components, delivery models, equity targets and implementation gaps. Study design Scoping review. Methods The review followed PRISMA-ScR and JBI population–concept–context guidance. PubMed/MEDLINE, PubMed Central, publisher pages, ClinicalTrials.gov-linked records and DOI records were searched from inception through 3 June 2026, with backward and forward citation chasing. English-language original intervention or implementation studies with a community-facing screening-promotion component were eligible. One reviewer screened all full texts, and two coauthors validated the final inclusion decisions. Data were charted and synthesized descriptively across intervention, outcome, implementation and equity variables. Results Twenty-one original intervention or implementation studies were included in the evidence map. Nine contextual sources informed the background and five methodological sources informed review conduct but were not counted as included original evidence. Six recurring strategy families were observed: lay or peer workforce models, culturally tailored education, navigation and barrier reduction, HPV self-sampling, mHealth reminders and integrated outreach. Across heterogeneous designs, multicomponent approaches commonly linked trusted messengers, tailored communication, convenient screening access and active follow-up; no comparative effectiveness ranking was undertaken. Conclusions Community-based cervical screening promotion can be designed and evaluated as a prevention cascade rather than as a one-time awareness activity. Future programmes should measure movement from engagement and access through screening completion, result delivery, triage and treatment linkage.