Cervical cancer (CC) remains a major public health concern, disproportionately affecting
low-income populations due to barriers in screening and follow-up care. Inadequate follow-up
after a positive HPV self-sample result puts individuals at higher risk of disease progression, yet
there is limited research on effective follow-up strategies for this group. This integrative review
explores interventions aimed at improving adherence to follow-up care in low-income women.
A systematic search identified eight studies examining follow-up interventions in lowincome populations. Follow-up rates varied widely (5.6%–92%), with higher adherence observed
when multiple follow-up methods were used, such as phone calls, text messages, postal mail, and
home visits. Patient education, patient navigation, and the provision of a second self-sampling kit
also showed promise in increasing follow-up rates. However, inconsistencies in study
methodologies and healthcare settings make direct comparisons challenging.
These findings highlight the need for standardized, evidence-based follow-up strategies
to address disparities in CC care. Future research should focus on scalable, cost-effective
interventions, including mobile health (mHealth) approaches and patient navigation models.
Policy efforts should prioritize integrating multi-modal follow-up strategies into national
screening programs to improve outcomes for vulnerable populations.
