The Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Cervical Cancer Screening Using a Systematic Invitation System in Lithuania

Justina Paulauskiene, Mindaugas Stelemekas, Rugile Ivanauskiene and Janina Petkeviciene
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Justina Paulauskiene: Department of Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Public Health, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, 47181 Kaunas, Lithuania
Mindaugas Stelemekas: Department of Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Public Health, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, 47181 Kaunas, Lithuania
Rugile Ivanauskiene: Department of Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Public Health, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, 47181 Kaunas, Lithuania
Janina Petkeviciene: Department of Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Public Health, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, 47181 Kaunas, Lithuania

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 24, 1-11

Abstract: In Lithuania, cytological screening of cervical cancer (CC) is largely opportunistic. Absence of standardized systematic invitation practice might be the reason for low participation rates. The study aimed to assess the cost-effectiveness of systematic invitation approach in CC screening programme from the perspective of a healthcare provider. A decision tree was used to compare an opportunistic invitation by a family doctor, a personal postal invitation letter with appointment time and place, and a personal postal invitation letter with appointment time and place with one reminder letter. Cost-effectiveness was defined as an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) per one additionally screened woman and per one additional abnormal Pap smear test detected. The ICER of one personal postal invitation letter was €9.67 per one additionally screened woman and €55.21 per one additional abnormal Pap smear test detected in comparison with the current screening practice. The ICER of a personal invitation letter with an additional reminder letter compared to one invitation letter was €13.47 and €86.88 respectively. Conclusions: A personal invitation letter approach is more effective in increasing the participation rate in CC screening and the number of detected abnormal Pap smears; however, it incurs additional expenses compared with current invitation practice.

Keywords: cost-effectiveness; cervical cancer screening; invitation methods (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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