Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the impact of modeling type on the economic evaluation of screening programs for asymptomatic Chlamydia trachomatis infections.
STUDY: We compared a stochastic network simulation model (dynamic model) with a decision analysis model (static model) for estimating the cost-effectiveness of an opportunistic screening program. The influence of the model type on the required data, the computed results, and the sensitivity of model parameters were investigated.
RESULTS: When compared with static modeling, dynamic modeling yielded different cost-effectiveness ratios and identified other optimal screening strategies as it considers changes in the force of infection caused by screening. However, it is more complex, data- and time-demanding, and more sensitive to some parameters affecting the force of infection than static modeling.
CONCLUSIONS: Dynamic models should be applied for the economic evaluation of prevention measures that have the potential to lower the force of infection such as large-scale chlamydial screening programs.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 474-83 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | Sexually Transmitted Diseases |
| Volume | 32 |
| Issue number | 8 |
| Publication status | Published - Aug 2005 |
Keywords
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Chlamydia Infections/diagnosis
- Chlamydia trachomatis
- Cost-Benefit Analysis
- Decision Support Techniques
- Female
- Humans
- Male
- Mass Screening/economics
- Models, Econometric
- Netherlands/epidemiology
- Stochastic Processes