Cost-Effectiveness of HCV Screening in Prisons
Author Information
Author(s): Sutton Andrew J, Edmunds W John, Gill O Noel
Primary Institution: Health Protection Agency, Centre for Infections
Hypothesis
What is the cost-effectiveness of different HCV case-finding strategies upon reception into prison?
Conclusion
Targeting individuals with a history of illicit drug use for HCV testing in prisons is the most cost-effective approach.
Supporting Evidence
- Verbal screening for past positive HCV tests and illicit drug use significantly improves cost-effectiveness.
- The cost per new HCV case detected was lower with verbal screening compared to no screening.
- The study highlights the importance of targeting high-risk individuals for HCV testing.
Takeaway
This study shows that asking prisoners if they've ever used drugs or had a positive HCV test can help find those who need testing for hepatitis C, which is cheaper and more effective.
Methodology
A decision analysis model was used to estimate the cost-effectiveness of various HCV case-finding strategies in prisons.
Potential Biases
There may be social stigma affecting prisoners' willingness to disclose drug use.
Limitations
The study does not consider the treatment costs or the potential for HCV infection during imprisonment.
Participant Demographics
The study focuses on injecting drug users (IDUs) in prisons.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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