Abstract: The Sultanate of Oman enjoys plenty of solar energy and wind energy; both have been exploited successfully in the country. However, geothermal energy has not been exploited yet in Oman. This natural heat source deserves more studies to assess its technical potential and economic feasibility compared to other electricity generation technologies in Oman. The current study fills this gap by presenting a techno-economic assessment (TEA) of a small 30-MW geothermal power plant in Oman, operating on a binary (two-fluid) cycle, with a drilling depth of 2 km. The analysis was performed using the renowned software tool SAM (System Advisor Model) of the United States National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). The current results suggest a levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of 8.68 cents/kWh (0.0868 US$/kWh) or 33.4 baisa/kWh (0.0334 OMR/kWh). When compared with electricity tariff or solar photovoltaic (PV) power purchase agreement (PPA) rates in Oman, it was found that geothermal-based electricity is too expensive. Furthermore, the estimated geothermal LCOE is more than three times the LCOE value of self-owned photovoltaic (PV) power systems in Oman, which is around 10 baisa/kWh (0.010 OMR/kWh). The estimated first-year electricity generation for the geothermal power plant model is 261.268 GWh/year, leading to a specific electricity generation of 8,709 kWh/kW/year. This is about five times the specific power generation from PV power plants. The study is augmented by sensitivity analyses and regression models to help understand the impact of multiple input parameters. The study provides novel results regarding decision-making for geothermal power investment in Oman.

Abstract: Enhancing agricultural economic resilience (AER) is essential for global food security. As a key policy tool for stabilizing agricultural production, policy-based agricultural insurance lacks rigorous causal evidence on its impact on resilience. Using 2012–2023 provincial panel data from China, this study measures AER via the entropy method and identifies policy effects using a multi-timepoint difference-in-differences (DID) model. We find that policy-based insurance for the three major staple crops significantly strengthens AER, primarily by promoting agricultural technological innovation (ATI) and regional industrial structure upgrading (RIS). The improvement effects are more pronounced in central and western regions, non-major grain-producing areas, and regions with higher natural risks. Our findings confirm that the staple crop insurance policy effectively boosts agricultural resilience, suggesting that differentiated implementation can support more sustainable and targeted agricultural risk governance.

Abstract: Road traffic accidents pose a growing public safety challenge in rapidly urbanizing regions of Nigeria, where infrastructure development and traffic management often lag behind increasing vehicle use. This study investigates the spatial distribution and hotspot patterns of road traffic accidents in Jega Local Government Area, Kebbi State, Nigeria, using Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) spatial interpolation. Georeferenced accident count data were analyzed through descriptive statistics, spatial visualization, and interpolation on a 200 × 200 grid with an edge buffer to minimize boundary effects. Accident hotspots were delineated using an 80th percentile threshold of interpolated intensity values. The results reveal a strongly clustered spatial structure, characterized by pronounced inequality in accident occurrence, where a small number of locations account for a disproportionate share of recorded accidents. IDW surfaces, contour maps, three-dimensional visualizations, and Google Earth-compatible outputs consistently identify high-risk zones around major junctions and traffic convergence areas. The findings demonstrate that IDW provides a transparent, computationally efficient, and operationally effective approach for accident hotspot identification in data-constrained urban settings. The study offers practical decision-support tools for targeted road safety interventions and contributes to evidence-based traffic management planning in developing urban environments.

Abstract: Background/Objectives: Oxidative stress is a key pathogenic factor in gastric diseases (GDs). Nutraceuticals with antioxidant activity derived from macroalgae represent promising preventive strategies. However, Chilean macroalgae remains poorly explored in the context of GDs, particularly associated with oxidative stress. This study evaluated the antioxidant and cytoprotective properties of crude aqueous and ethanolic extracts from green, brown, and red macroalgae collected along the north-central coast of Chile. Methods: Crude extracts were prepared from green, brown, and red macroalgae and evaluated for antioxidant activity via ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP assays. Using hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress in GES-1 gastric epithelial cells, we assessed cell viability (MTS assay), intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels (time-lapse confocal microscopy), and apoptosis (active caspase-3 detection). Results: All extracts exhibited antioxidant activity; the red macroalgae Gracilaria chilensis displayed the highest flavonoid content (up to 2.236 mg QE/g dw). Notably, extracts from G. chilensis, S. gaudichaudii, and M. canaliculata preserved GES-1 cell viability under hydrogen peroxide-induced stress, outperforming green and brown species, demonstrating the superior cytoprotective capacity of red macroalgae compared to other groups. Furthermore, G. chilensis extracts significantly reduced intracellular ROS levels and attenuated ROS-induced apoptosis. Conclusions: Red macroalgae extracts, particularly G. chilensis, exhibit strong antioxidant and cytoprotective effects. Our findings demonstrate that these species outperform green and brown macroalgae, addressing a gap in knowledge regarding Chilean marine resources. These results support their potential development as nutraceuticals for the prevention of oxidative stress-related gastric diseases and highlight red macroalgae as a valuable source of bioactive compounds for diet-based preventive strategies.

Abstract: Egan et al. (2026) estimate that interchange fees transfer approximately $30 billionper year from cash and debit card users to credit card users, assuming merchants setuniform prices. We extend their sufficient-statistics framework to incorporate merchantsurcharging and show that it attenuates the pooled cross-subsidy by $1–2 billion (3–7%). The correct aggregation uses transfer-weighted sector shares, not expenditureshares; the naive alternative overstates the correction fivefold. Using transaction-leveldata from the Diary of Consumer Payment Choice (2022–2024), we document thatsurcharging has nearly doubled since 2021 and is concentrated in sectors where smallbusinesses face high interchange costs. At the transaction level, credit card purchasesby consumers with household income below $25,000 are surcharged at twice the rate of1those above $150,000 (p = 0.038, respondent-clustered standard errors with merchant-category fixed effects). However, this gradient is fragile: it does not survive aggregationto the respondent level, is present in 2024 but not in 2022, and is largely absorbed bycontrolling for rewards card status. Surcharging widens inequality in the net benefitsof card use primarily through card segmentation—non-rewards cardholders face highersurcharge rates—rather than through an independent income channel.

Abstract: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer death worldwide, mainly due to metastasis. Circulating tumor cells (CTC) act as the biological "seeds" of dissemination, traveling through the bloodstream to colonize distant organs. However, the blood is a hostile environment where CTC must constantly face immune pressure. This review explores the bidirectional interactions between CTC and immune cells in CRC, asking whether CTC are merely vulnerable targets of immunosurveillance or can exploit the immune system for survival and metastasis. We dissect intrinsic and extrinsic immune evasion mechanisms, including MHC-I modulation, immune checkpoint expression (PD-L1, CD47, FasL), platelet cloaking, and neutrophil extracellular traps (NET). Furthermore, we examine how CTC form heterotypic clusters with monocytes, neutrophils and lymphocytes, creating pro-metastatic niches and promoting phenotypic plasticity. The impact of CTC on systemic immunity, including reprogramming of NK cells, T lymphocytes and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) is discussed. Importantly, we highlight the emerging role of CTC as dynamic biomarkers for immunotherapy, focusing on the predictive value of PD-L1+ CTC and the potential of CTC-derived neoantigens for personalized vaccination. Despite progress, challenges remain in standardization, detection sensitivity, and clinical validation. Understanding the equilibrium between immune elimination and evasion by CTCs is crucial to develop novel interventions that interrupt the metastatic dialogue and improve outcomes for CRC patients.

Abstract: The study investigates the seismic ambient noise within the Campi Flegrei caldera (Na-ples, Italy) to improve the detection capability and reliability of the local earthquake moni-toring system managed by the INGV, Osservatorio Vesuviano. It focuses on the spectral characteristics and spatial variability of the ambient noise field, aiming to identify the dominant frequency bands that control signal detectability and to provide key information for the optimization of the monitoring network. Due to the dense urban environment sur-rounding the caldera, seismic recordings are often contaminated by high anthropogenic noise, which can mask low-magnitude volcanic or seismic signals. Power Spectral Density (PSD) analysis was applied to evaluate background noise levels at several broadband sta-tions belonging to both the permanent and temporary seismic networks over the period January 2022 to January 2023. The resulting PSD estimates were compared with the global Peterson noise models to assess station performance and environmental conditions. Re-sults show significant variability among stations, related to local human activity, proxim-ity to infrastructure and different installation settings (buried vs. surface). The study em-phasizes the importance of continuous noise monitoring to ensure high-quality seismic data, support optimal station siting, and refine monitoring strategies in densely populated volcanic regions such as Campi Flegrei, where the reliable detection of low-amplitude seismic and volcanic signals is essential.

Abstract: The rapid adoption of Wide Band Gap (WBG) and Ultra-Wide Band Gap (UWBG) semiconductor technologies, most notably Silicon Carbide (SiC) and Gallium Nitride (GaN), is reshaping wafer-level electrical testing beyond conventional silicon-based probing infrastructures.[1,2] Modern SiC devices require blocking voltage verification in the 650 V–3.3 kV range, extending beyond 6.5 kV, while GaN HEMTs operate with voltage slew rates exceeding 50–150 V/ns and current slew rates above 1–5 kA/µs. Un-der these conditions, probe cards evolve from passive interconnects into multi-physics systems coupling electrical, thermal, and mechanical domains.[3,4] Vertical MEMS probe card architectures enable high contact density, per-contact currents of 2–10 A (aggregated >1–3 kA), and loop inductance in the single-digit nanohenry range. This work analyzes probe-to-wafer contact physics, including constriction resistance (10–50mΩ) and wear under high current (>10⁵ A/cm²) and high-frequency conditions.[4] Electro-thermal limitations are discussed with focus on insulation integrity, partial discharge, di/dt-induced overshoot, and localized heating (>100–200 °C).[5,6,7] Emerging high-voltage solutions include ceramic insulation, controlled atmospheres, and on-board sensing. Wafer-level testing combines full-wafer screening with burn-in-like stress methodologies, where body diode characterization enables early defect detection in SiC devices. These results highlight the critical role of probe cards in WBG manufacturability and test reliability

Abstract: Quantitative results demonstrate that the 4D stratified model significantly improved soil quality and vertical structural complexity; vegetation density increased from 5 to 35 plants/m², while species richness exhibited a fourfold increase. Beyond biophysical restoration, the intervention catalyzed a "narrative inversion," transitioning the site from a stigmatized wasteland to a socio-ecological hub that fosters collaborative health literacy and community resilience. By integrating agroecological practices with the EcoFoodFertility clinical framework, the project illustrates the potential of localized interventions to function as "preventive infrastructures" within a One Health paradigm. The findings suggest that SAFS represents a scalable laboratory for territorial re-signification, offering transferable insights for aligning ecological restoration with social innovation in degraded peri-urban landscapes, in accordance with Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) and European Green Deal objectives.

Abstract: When applying the geometric quantization ansatz that focuses on quantizing the fundamental metric tensor to the reformulation of general relativity, eigencurvatures emerge at low (quantum) scales. They are distinct from the standard curvatures that manifest gravitational sources in conventional general relativity. The analytical and numerical evolution of timelike geodesic congruence expansion in the spacetime surrounding rotating, massive, non-charged, and axially symmetric Kerr black hole is introduced. This facilitates the assessment of whether the space singularity continues to exist or diminishes at low (quantum) scales. Furthermore, the characteristics of the quantum-conditioned curvatures can be defined by means of the Kretschmann invariant scalar. We conclude that the space singularity can be regulated by the proposed quantization approach. Moreover, the quantum-conditioned curvatures that arise in Kerr spacetime are genuinely real, essential, and intrinsic. They cannot be classified as artifacts in any coordinate systems, whether known or yet to be found.

Abstract: Chronic migraine has traditionally been framed as a disabling but self-limited pain disorder. Recent large-scale epidemiology, Mendelian randomisation, and neuroimaging converge on a different reading: midlife chronic migraine, particularly with aura, precedes and predicts Alzheimer's dementia in a manner consistent with a causal direction rather than mere association. We propose a hierarchical model in which recurrent cortical spreading depression initiates a feed-forward network: transient glymphatic closure with stasis of amyloid-β and tau; brain insulin resistance and interictal energy failure; and sustained, TNF-α-centred neuroinflammation, with each level feeding back to lower the threshold for the others. Sleep, mood, and vascular comorbidities are repositioned as bidirectional amplifiers rather than independent confounders. We outline falsifiable predictions, discuss the ambiguous neurocognitive profile of CGRP-pathway blockade, and argue that midlife migraine prevention warrants evaluation as a candidate disease-modifying strategy for Alzheimer's dementia.

Abstract: BACKGROUND For patients with multivessel coronary artery disease (MVD) treated with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), we proposed novel pulmonary risk factors identified by machine learning (ML) that have impact on long-term revascularization outcomes. METHODS A total of 1035 consecutive patients with three-vessel disease (3-VD) and/or left main disease (LMD) treated with either CABG or PCI were followed up to 5 years in tertiary cardiovascular care centre that systematically screened their candidates for revascularization. Participants were stratified for the presence of absence of PH (pulmonary hypertension) and /or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and the impact of each on revascularization outcomes was examined. RESULTS Five-year mortality in overall cohort was 12.6%. A higher mortality was demonstrated for patients with diagnosis of COPD or PH (n=125) as compared with population who had neither COPD nor PH (n=910) [68.8% vs 4.8%, P< 0.001]. Among the 125 patients in COPD/PH population, a higher 5-year mortality was observed in those who underwent surgery as compared with PCI-group (85.2% vs 64.3%, P=0.04). We observed a significant interaction between COPD and revascularization strategy (P=0.014), but no association between PH and CABG/PCI was found. Cox regression analysis showed outstanding HRs of mortality for PH (6.01 [3.47-10.40]) and COPD (5.65 [3.21-9.96]) as compared with conventional risk factors. CONCLUSIONS In the overall cohort, novel pulmonary risk factors suggested by ML had a huge impact on 5-year mortality, hence a detailed diagnosis of pulmonary disease in the population with MVD has a paramount importance to predict long-term mortality.

Abstract: Background/Objectives: Cephalometric analysis remains the principal tool for diagnosing sagittal jaw discrepancies. Its clinical reliability depends on the accuracy of landmark identification and the resulting horizontal and vertical dispersion in the Cartesian system. The aim of this study was to assess the inter-rater reliability of 12 cephalometric landmarks and of six measurements used for sagittal discrepancy assessment (ANB, Wits, Tau, Yen, Sar and W) across three skeletal classes. Methods: Twenty-four lateral cephalograms (eight per skeletal class) were assessed twice, seven days apart, by 15 orthodontists trained in a 5-hour calibration course. Landmark coordinates were normalized against a reference value derived from two expert raters. Reliability of horizontal (X) and vertical (Y) coordinates and of the resulting sagittal measurements was quantified using the intraclass correlation coefficient ICC(2,1). Between-class differences were tested with Fisher Z-transformed Z-tests; the Benjamini–Hochberg false-discovery-rate (FDR) procedure was applied to control for multiple comparisons. Results: Horizontal coordinates of all landmarks showed excellent inter-rater agreement (ICC 0.91-0.96) regardless of skeletal class. Vertical coordinates showed considerably greater variability (ICC 0.52-0.94). Among sagittal measurements, Wits demonstrated the highest reliability across all classes (ICC 0.87-0.90), followed by Yen (ICC 0.76-0.86). Tau, Sar and W reached near-perfect agreement only in Class III patients (ICC 0.93-0.95). The ANB angle showed the lowest reliability, particularly in Class I (ICC =0.55, 95% CI 0.32-0.84). Conclusions: Vertical and horizontal dispersion of cephalometric landmarks materially influences the diagnostic accuracy of sagittal measurements. Wits and Yen are the most reliable parameters across all skeletal classes, whereas Tau, Sar and W are particularly trustworthy in Class III. The traditional reliance on the ANB angle as a gold standard should be reconsidered, as it was the least reproducible measurement in our cohort.

Abstract: Despite the wide palette of clinically available investigative tools, not all deep molecular phenomena governing the cardiovascular system can be studied on living humans. Therefore, a reasonable alternative is to explore such phenomena on animal models, given that the two-circuits centered on a tetra chamber heart practically did not evolve since the crocodilians. This review presents our two decades-long experience with mouse, rat and dog models of Chagas disease, metabolic syndrome, post ischemic heart failure, and pulmonary hypertension. We studied also the transcriptomic consequences of cell treatment of Chagas and ischemic cardiomyopathies, genetic engineering, and exposure to hypobaric hypoxia, oxygen deprivation, low salt and high fructose diets. Among others, the investigations revealed heart transcriptomic sex dichotomy and inter-chamber differences, as well as changes in the subcellular localization of the heart rhythm determinants: connexin43, plakophilin-2, N-cadherin and plakoglobin during the female estrogen cycle. Use of these animal models considerably enriched our understanding of the cardiovascular system pathophysiology.

Abstract: Purpose: Six million people use crutches as mobile aids in the US. Rigid designs with no axial mobility limit sensory feedback and lead to secondary injury on the upper joints. Spring-loaded designs offer compliance but may compromise stability. We designed a biologically inspired tensegrity crutch with a compliant module aiming to achieve favorable mechanical properties. The terminal module was a pre-stressed self-tensile two-cell tensegrity structure. We compared the tensegrity crutch to commercial rigid and spring-loaded crutches in mechanical tests using axial loading, in overground straight and turning walking, and in participant experience.Methods: In human trials, healthy young adults (N=18) with no recent lower-body injury performed straight walking and turning trials at a comfortable self-selected pace. A knee blocker simulated unilateral injury of the dominant leg. After using each type of crutch, participants reported their perceived levels of effort, comfort, pain, stability, and usability.Results: Compared to the rigid design, both spring-loaded and tensegrity conditions reduced peak loading rates. The tensegrity design improved effort, comfort, pain, and usability. Spring-loaded crutches reduced perceived stability and walking speed.Conclusion: The biologically inspired tensegrity crutches were an overall improvement to existing designs. Simulations and mechanical testing suggest that nonlinear stiffness, ground-following, and force feedback are among the beneficial mechanical properties that underlie this improvement.

Abstract: This study aimed to verify a prediction model identifying the causal relationships and paths among factors that affect Korean nursing students’ provision of person-centered care to patients with dementia. This was a covariance structure analysis study to establish a hypothetical model of 313 Korean nursing students located in a metropolitan area. IBM SPSS version 18.0(Chicago, IL, USA) and AMOS version 5.0(Chicago, IL, USA) were used to analyze the data. Structural equation modeling analysis was applied to verify convergent and discriminant validity using higher-order factor analysis in the final model analysis. The model fit indices of the research model were as follows: χ²/df=1.83(p&lt;.001), GFI=.91, AGFI=.88, NFI=.91, CFI=.90, RMR=.04, and RMSEA=.05. The factors affecting person-centered care, clinical practice adaptation (γ=.02, p=.014), nursing professionalism (γ=.45, p=.024), and empathy (γ=.21, p&lt;.001) had direct effects, whereas clinical practice adaptation (γ=.21, p=.013) and nursing professionalism (γ=.08, p=.004) had indirect effects. These factors can explain 40% of the variance in person-centered care. This study is significant because it provides basic data for developing an educational program that can improve the person-centered care capacity of domestic nursing students by confirming that clinical practice adaptation, nursing professionalism, and empathy are essential factors that affect person-centered care.

Abstract: Enteric methane emissions (EME) from grazing dairy systems in tropical regions remain poorly quantified, increasing uncertainty in national greenhouse gas inventories. This study aimed to quantify EME using electronic spirometry masks (ESM) in dairy cows in Colombian high tropics during two precipitation seasons. Six high milk yield (HMY; >30 L/d) and six low milk yield (LMY; <15 L/d) grazing kikuyu grass (Cenchrus clandestinus) and supplement with concentrate feed were monitored by EME, exhaled air volume, feed intake, milk yield and composition. Data was analyzed in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement (season × production level). Season affected Kikuyu chemical composition (P< 0.05) but not dry matter intake (DMI), milk production, quality, nor EME (P > 0.05). Despite HMY cows having a greater DMI (kg DM/d; P < 0.01) and EME (g/d, L/d; P < 0.05) exhibited lower methane intensity (g / kg fat-corrected milk) and gross energy intake lost as methane (P < 0.05). Positive correlations were found between EME and total dry matter intake (r = 0.638) and milk production (r = 0.726). The observed methane yield was comparable to previous studies for tropical kikuyu-based systems but lower than reports from temperate regions, suggesting seasonal-driven kikuyu quality does not translate into EME changes in high tropic regions. Animal productivity level was a key driver of EME magnitude and efficiency, effectively measured by ESM which may represent a practical tool for narrowing EME estimates for tropical pasture-based dairy systems.

Abstract: Background: Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) lacks approved pharmacological treatments despite a high symptom burden. Artificial intelligence (AI) offers new opportunities to accelerate drug discovery and model therapeutic effects. Objective: This study will outline an AI‑enabled framework for identifying and modelling a novel pharmacological agent for BPD, designed to meet five therapeutic goals: (1) reduce depression without increasing impulsivity and suicidality, (2) reduce suicidality without sedation, (3) limit side effects and weight gain, (4) reduce polypharmacy, and (5) provide combined antidepressant, anti-suicidal, mood‑stabilising, and antipsychotic effects.Methods: Three AI‑driven approaches will be piloted: (1) deep‑learning‑based compound generation, (2) natural‑language‑processing (NLP) evidence synthesis, and (3) predictive modelling of symptom trajectories. These methods will be used to design and characterise a hypothetical multimodal compound, BPD‑AI‑01, including its predicted 3D molecular structure and receptor binding profile. All analyses will use publicly available data and in silico simulations.Results: AI‑guided modelling will generate BPD‑AI‑01, a candidate molecule predicted to act as a partial agonist at 5‑HT1A receptors, a modulator at NMDA‑associated sites, and a weak antagonist at 5‑HT2A/D2 receptors, with low affinity for histaminergic and muscarinic receptors. Its 3D structure will be optimised to balance CNS penetration with reduced metabolic burden. Simulated trajectories will suggest potential antidepressant, anti-suicidal, mood‑stabilising, and antipsychotic‑like effects without marked sedation or weight gain. Conclusions: AI‑enabled pharmacological research may support the design of next‑generation medications for BPD that address multiple symptom domains within a single molecule. Empirical validation will be required before any clinical application.

Abstract: In this study, we have investigated the existence and properties of solitons in an unmagnetized plasma composed of positive ions, negative ions, negatively charged dust grains, non-thermal electrons and non-extensive positrons. We have conducted our study on this complex plasma model because it moves away from simplistic and idealized plasma models. Also, study of solitons has not been conducted previously on this complex plasma model. Through the Sagdeev potential method we have derived the energy integral and investigated the variation of the Sagdeev potential for different values of the parameters that are involved in our plasma model. We have found that the non-thermal parameter (β) and the non-extensive parameter(q) significantly influence the features of the solitons. The features of the solitons are also found to be influenced by the Mach number (M), the negative ion to positive ion mass ratio (Ω), the positron to positive ion density ratio (δp) , the electron to positron temperature ratio (σp), the dust charge density ratio (δd ) and the negative ion to positive ion density ratio(δ_ ). The results from our study can be useful in investigating plasma in astrophysical environments, such as cometary tails and interstellar clouds.

Abstract: Background: Cervical cancer remains a major public health in sub-Saharan Africa, despite the availability of effective screening methods. In Cameroon, screening coverage remains low, largely due to several factors. The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated these challenges. However, the magnitude of the COVID-19 pandemic impact, remains poorly documented in the Cameroonian context. Understanding the interplay between all, is therefore essential to guide targeted interventions aimed at improving cervical cancer screening coverage and achieving global elimination targets. Methodology: A mixed observational analytic study combining a cross-sectional survey with a retrospective trend reconstruction, was undertaken from January 2016 to December 2024, in five regions of Cameroon: The Centre, South, North, Far North, and Littoral regions. A total of 3751 women ages between 25 and 65 years agreed to participate and were interviewed with semi-structured questionnaires, as well as health care workers, service providers, and health professionals. The data collected, captured access to screening services, perceived socio-economic and environmental barriers, and actual use of cytological and HPV tests. Results: A low screening uptake were observed. The non-use of services was significantly related to living in rural locations (OR=0.55, p=0.001), low education attainment (OR=1 for none, OR=1.45 for higher education, p=0.003), and lower social coverage (OR=1 for uninsured, OR = 2.30 for insured, p=0.001). The top barriers to accessing services reported by participants were cost, distance to services, and poor information providing (all p=0.001). Conclusion: all these barriers inhibit the early diagnosis of cervical cancer in Cameroon. COVID-19 pandemic plays a crucial role in reducing availability of screening programs and decreased healthcare utilization by women due to fear of infection and movement restrictions