Effects of an extended free-of-fee strategy on the rate of cervical Papanicolaou smear screening in Israel.

Objective: To investigate the influence of an extended free-of-fee strategy on the rate of cervical Papanicolaou (Pap) smear screening in Israel.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted of data obtained from a computer-generated list of women aged 15-74 years who attended appointments with Clalit Health Services between January 1, 2008, and November 30, 2011, during which Pap smears were taken. The basic strategy allowed a no-fee Pap smear once every 3 years between the ages of 35 and 54 years; the extended strategy allowed a no-fee Pap smear once every 3 years between the ages of 25 and 54 years.

Results: In all, 65 565 Pap smears were taken. The mean monthly study population was 161 438 women. The mean monthly Pap smear rate for the basic strategy was 0.64% ± 0.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.59-0.68) versus 0.75% ± 0.6% (95% CI, 0.70-0.79) for the extended strategy (P=0.004). Age group (P<0.001), Pap smear strategy type (P<0.001), and combined age group and strategy type (P=0.028) each predicted the monthly rate of Pap smear screening in a univariate analysis.

Conclusion: Implementation of the extended free-of-fee strategy increased the rate of Pap smear screening among Israeli women.