The annual cervical screening programme using the Papanicolaou (Pap) smear test was launched for @entity1 aged 30 years and over from 1995 in Taiwan. This study aimed to evaluate the Taiwanese cervical screening policy and to make recommendations based on the empirical findings from cervical screening data between 1995 and 1998. We used a stochastic process to model the natural history of @entity1613 and @entity5 . Based on the estimated results, Monte-Carlo computer simulation was used to evaluate the effectiveness in terms of the reduction in incidence of and mortality from @entity5 for screening regimes with different screening intervals. Annual Pap smear screening with 100% compliance was estimated to lead to an approximate 80% reduction in deaths from @entity5 . With 50% compliance, around a 40% reduction was expected. Triennial screening with high compliance was as effective as annual screening with low compliance, and more cost-effective. Based on the observed Taiwan Pap smear-screening programme between 1995 and 1998, with 44.5% @entity1 attending at least once, there was an estimated reduction of 16% in deaths from @entity2622 . The estimated effectiveness was greater when the period was extended to 2001, in which period 61% of @entity1 attended at least once. The screening programme by 2001 was estimated to reduce @entity5 mortality by 50% (95% confidence interval: 29-65%). The incremental cost-effectiveness was estimated as 8174 dollars per additional life-year gained. In conclusion, triennial screening targeting @entity1 aged 30-69 is recommended, along with efforts to enhance the compliance rate.

Efficacy and cost-effectiveness of nationwide XXXX screening in Taiwan.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['women'] @entity2622 :: ('MESH:D002583', 'Disease') :: ['cervical carcinoma'] @entity5 :: ('MESH:D009369', 'Disease') :: ['cervical cancer'] @entity1613 :: ('MESH:D011230', 'Disease') :: ['precancerous lesions']
@entity5 :: (MESH:D009369,Disease) :: ['cervical cancer']
