BMJ public health
Service availability and readiness of primary healthcare facilities in Cambodia (2020-2025): a systematic review
By Yem S, Tun S and Kem S.
Abstract
Objectives
To synthesise evidence published between 2020 and 2025 on the availability and readiness of primary healthcare (PHC) services in Cambodia and identify key gaps for health system strengthening.
Design
Systematic review conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines.
Data sources
Seven electronic databases (Web of Science, PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Google Scholar, PubMed Central, CINAHL and Western Pacific Regional Health Indexes) were searched, supplemented by grey literature from the WHO, World Bank and Cambodia's Ministry of Health. Eligibility criteria: Studies published in English between January 2020 and December 2025 reporting quantitative measures of PHC service availability or readiness in Cambodia were included. Eligible facilities comprised health centres, health posts and community-based primary care facilities assessed using Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA), WHO Package of Essential NCD Interventions (PEN) or comparable frameworks. Hospital-based studies, qualitative studies, editorials and conference abstracts were excluded. Data extraction and synthesis: Two reviewers independently screened studies and extracted data using a standardised form. Risk of bias was assessed using the Risk Of Bias In Non-randomised Studies of Interventions (ROBINS-I) tool. Due to methodological heterogeneity, findings were synthesised narratively.