Prediction of Costs, Effectiveness, and Disease Control of a Population-Based Program Using Home Sampling for Diagnosis of Urogenital Chlamydia trachomatis Infections

In Brief Objective: To estimate the incremental effects and costs of a home sampling screening approach for Chlamydia trachomatis over the current in-office screening practice in Denmark. Goals: To assess the effect of a new screening strategy. Study Design: A dynamic Monte Carlo model estimated prevalence and incidence over 10 years for a home sampling screening program and the current in-office screening. Subsequently, the incremental number of major outcomes averted (MOA) and the related direct and indirect costs were estimated. Results: Infection prevalence after 10 years was 1.0% with a home sampling program and 4.2% with the current in-office screening practice. The total costs per MOA reached $3186 during the first year of the home sampling strategy, but in year 4, the accumulated indirect costs offset the direct costs, and the program henceforth saved society costs. Conclusions: Home sampling should be considered a relevant alternative to the current practice of in-office screening. We estimated incremental effects and costs of a home sampling screening approach for Chlamydia trachomatis compared to current in-office screening. The infection prevalence declined significantly and the program was cost saving after 4 years.