Geographical inequities in cervical cancer screening coverage in Bolivia: a spatial nationwide ecological study.

Abstract

Objectives: To estimate cervical cancer screening (CCS) coverage rates and assess the spatial distribution and clustering between departments and municipalities in Bolivia.

Methods: Standardized CCS coverage rates were calculated using the direct standardization method. The global Moran's I test was used to investigate the existence of spatial autocorrelation of CCS coverage, and the Getis-Ord Gi* was used to identify the spatial clustering of municipalities with high (hot spot) or low (cold spot) coverage.

Results: Overall coverage was low. Around 14% of women aged 20-69 years were screened in Bolivia in 2022. Large geographical inequities in CCS coverage rates were identified both between departments and between municipalities. At the municipal level, CCS showed large differences, ranging from 59% to below 1%. Hot spots were identified in northwestern and southeastern Bolivia; specifically, in Pando, Chuquisaca, and Tarija departments. Cold spots were identified in Beni and Santa Cruz departments.

Conclusions: Bolivia is still a long way from achieving the World Health Organization target of 70% screening coverage. The present results indicate where the screening program must be reinforced to improve the responsiveness of Bolivia's health system to women's reproductive health needs.