Universal screening or prophylactic treatment for Chlamydia trachomatis infection among women seeking induced abortions: which strategy is more cost-effective?

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of universal screening and azithromycin-based prophylaxis against no intervention for Chlamydia trachomatis infection among women seeking induced abortions.

Methods: A decision tree was constructed to evaluate health effects of the program. Cost-effectiveness was estimated for universal screening and azithromycin-based prophylaxis against no intervention with a C. trachomatis test prevalence of 4.8%.

Results: Azithromycin-based prophylaxis produced higher cost but prevented 289 cases of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) for a cost of 397 RMB (U.S. $48) per case of PID prevented over no intervention. Universal screening by polymerase chain reaction test prevented 253 cases of PID at a cost of 3,049 RMB (U.S. $372) per case of PID prevented over no intervention. Azithromycin-based prophylaxis prevented an additional 36 cases of PID, costing 18,239 RMB (US $2,224) less per case of PID prevented over universal screening.

Conclusions: Azithromycin-based prophylaxis provided a cost savings over universal screening for chlamydial infection among women seeking induced abortion.