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American Journal of Public Health logoLink to American Journal of Public Health
. 1990 May;80(5):545–550. doi: 10.2105/ajph.80.5.545

Screening for Chlamydia trachomatis in adolescent males: a cost-based decision analysis.

A G Randolph 1, A E Washington 1
PMCID: PMC1404639  PMID: 2109544

Abstract

To evaluate the cost and benefits of screening tests for Chlamydia trachomatis in adolescent males, we developed a decision analysis model and compared the leukocyte esterase urine dipstick test with culture, with direct-smear fluorescent antibody (DFA), and with the option of no screening (no treatment). The leukocyte esterase test has the lowest average cost-per-cure ($51) compared with direct-smear fluorescent antibody ($192) and culture ($414). Compared with the DFA, we estimate that the leukocyte esterase test saves over $9,727 per cohort of 1,000 sexually active adolescent males screened. Sensitivity analyses show the leukocyte esterase test results in a lower cost-per-cure and lower overall costs (per cohort) than culture and direct-smear fluorescent antibody at any prevalence of C. trachomatis infection, and lower overall costs (per cohort) than no screening at prevalences above 21 percent.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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