<p>Eligibility criteria for selection of studies.</p>

Methods

Appraisal Tools. Barriers were identified using the thematic synthesis approach guided by the SEM.</p> <p>Results</p><p>The 19 included articles were synthesized into five themes: individual, family, organizational, social and community, and policy barriers. The review findings revealed that the key individual-level barriers included less physical capability, financial insolvency, and lack of PHC service knowledge.

The family-level barriers included less connectivity with family and relatives, family influence over healthcare decisions, and gender disparity in families. The organizational-level barriers incorporated limited infrastructural facilities, unsatisfactory attitudes of healthcare providers (HPs), preference for gender-specific HPs, and treatment expenses. Dependence on traditional healers and lack of mobility were the social and community-level barriers.

Finally, the policy-level barriers included rural elderly health insurance gaps.</p> <p>Conclusion</p><p>The review recommends PHC awareness campaigns, family support, simplification of PHC service-related facilities, social assistance, and health coverage programs to help rural Bangladeshi elderly access PHC services.</p></div>