Cost identification analysis of cervical cancer screening in Roi Et province, Thailand

Abstract

Lack of resources has long been claimed as one barrier for the failures of cervical cancer control programmes. Cost analysis of cervical cancer screening in Roi Et Province could identify data to support decisions for efficient health care system management. Retrospective data were descriptively explored to identify total or full cost, labor-, material-, and capital costs of cervical cancer screening among public hospitals within Roi Et Province as categorized as general, 60-bed and 30-bed hospitals in fiscal year 2009. The results showed full cost of total enrolled seven hospitals, which included one general, two 60-bed and four 30-bed hospitals, were 3,046,127.00 Bahts with 15,577 clients. The overall unit cost was 195.55 Bahts. The unit cost for SVA was 119.56 baths which was 0.54 times of the cost for Pap smear at 223.41 Bahts. The unit costs of general, 60-bed and 30-bed hospitals were 158.95, 170.83 and 241.44 respectively. The unit cost of cervical cancer screening among public hospitals in Roi Et Province by SVA method was about half of Pap smear and was higher than the reimbursement provided under the National Priority Program and Central Procurement benefit