Cervical Cancer Screening Rates Among Chinese Women — China, 2023–2024

Abstract

Introduction: The Chinese government has established targets of 50% cervical cancer screening coverage by 2025 and 70% by 2030 for women of appropriate age. This study aimed to assess screening coverage across mainland China and analyze key sociodemographic and geographic determinants. Methods: A nationally and provincially representative cross-sectional survey was conducted among adults from 31 provincial-level administrative divisions in China between August 2023 and May 2024. Following data cleaning, 96,819 female participants were included in the analysis. Cervical cancer ever-screening rates were calculated for the overall population and by subgroups. All results were weighted to provide more accurate population-level estimates. Results: In 2023–2024, 51.5% of women aged 35–64 years had undergone cervical cancer screening at least once, with rates of 57.9% among women aged 35–44 years and 36.8% among women aged 20 years and above. Screening coverage in rural areas (48.2%) remained slightly below but approached the 50% target. Several regions (specifically, the Eastern, Central, and Southern regions) have achieved the 2025 target. Significant determinants of low cervical cancer screening coverage among Chinese women encompassed lower educational attainment, unemployment status, limited household income, lack of health insurance coverage, and absence of health check-ups (P<0.05 for all comparisons). Conclusions: Intensified efforts are needed to implement the Action Plan to Accelerate Elimination of Cervical Cancer, particularly in rural areas. Additionally, enhanced health education and service provision should target women of lower socioeconomic status to promote their active participation in screening programs.