Objective: To evaluate the cost effectiveness of a pilot rapid syphilis screening program and the routine screening program for women at Cook County Jail.
Methods: The number of new syphilis cases detected and treated through a pilot rapid screening program implemented during high volume processing hours were compared to those detected and treated through the routine program (all other hours) for one month in 2000. Costs for each screening program were compared using a decision analysis model. Material and overhead costs were assigned to the two screening programs. Labor costs for each screening program activity were estimated using a "time-in-motion" study conducted for the same month.
Results: From March 7-April 3, 2000, 553 women were screened through the rapid program and 690 through the routine program. The rapid screening program detected 7 (13.2%) new cases and the routine program detected 11 (28.2%) new cases. The cost per new case detected through rapid screening was similar to the routine screening program ($304 and $341, respectively). Treatment rates prior to release were higher for the rapid program (4/7, 57%) than the routine program (4/11, 36%).
Conclusions: The cost to detect new cases for the two screening programs were similar. However, a greater proportion of women were treated prior to release through the rapid program. The cost of locating a woman after release from custody is high and the preliminary results indicate that the rapid screening program may be more cost-effective than the routine program.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the presentation, participants should be able to describe: 1) the components of a cost-effectiveness evaluation of a screening program 2) the design, implementation, and obstacles of a cost-effectiveness evaluation 3) the cost-effectiveness of various syphilis screening strategies in a correctional setting
Keywords: Correctional Institutions, Syphilis Screening
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.