A cost-effectiveness analysis of the Chlamydia Monday--a community-based intervention to decrease the prevalence of chlamydia in Sweden.
OBJECTIVE
The study was undertaken to assess the cost-effectiveness of the Chlamydia Monday, 2007. This is a community-based intervention aimed at reducing the prevalence of chlamydia by information and increased availability of testing, treatment and contact tracing in Stockholm. The aim was to analyze the cost-effectiveness by estimating costs, savings and effects on health associated with the intervention, and to determine if cost-effectiveness varies between men and women.


METHODS
A societal perspective was adopted, meaning all significant costs and consequences were taken into consideration, regardless of who experienced them. A cost-effectiveness model was constructed including costs of the intervention, savings due to avoiding potential costs associated with medical sequels of chlamydia infection, and health gains measured as quality adjusted life years (QALY). Sensitivity analyses were done to explore model and result uncertainty.


RESULTS
Total costs were calculated to be 66,787.21; total savings to 30,370.14; and total health gains to 9.852324 QALYs (undiscounted figures). The discounted cost per QALY was 8,346.05 (10,810.77/QALY for women and 6,085.35/QALY for men). Sensitivity analyses included changes in effectiveness, variation of prevalence, reduced risk of sequel progression, inclusion of prevented future production loss and shortened duration for chronic conditions. The cost per QALY was consistently less than 50,000, which is often regarded as cost-effective in a Swedish context.


CONCLUSIONS
The Chlamydia Monday has been demonstrated by this study to be a cost-effective intervention and should be considered a wise use of society's resources.
Deogan
Charlotte L
CL
Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. charlotte.deogan.063@student.ki.se
Bocangel
Marta K Hansson
MK
Wamala
Sarah P
SP
Månsdotter
Anna M
AM
D000293:Adolescent; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003140:Communicable Disease Control / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods; D016358:Contact Tracing; D017046:Cost Savings; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D015995:Prevalence; D019057:Quality-Adjusted Life Years; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D047568:Unsafe Sex; D055815:Young Adult