Time costs associated with cervical cancer screening

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Economics
• Gynecologic Oncology

Background:

• Cervical cancer screening time costs are understudied.
• These costs can be substantial barriers to care for women.

Purpose of the Study:

• Quantify opportunity costs of cervical cancer screening.
• Focus on young women attending Planned Parenthood Clinics.

Main Methods:

• Self-report survey of 105 women across six clinics.
• Measured travel, waiting, and exam times.
• Valued time costs using self-reported wages, minimum earnings, and national wage rates.

Main Results:

• Average respondent age: 24 years; worked 29 hrs/week; earned <$20,000/year.
• Mean travel time: 18.7 min; waiting time: 16.9 min; exam time: 50.8 min.
• Estimated time costs ranged from $14.08 to $19.63 per visit.

Conclusions:

• Time costs are significant opportunity costs for cervical cancer screening.
• These costs can account for up to 25% of total screening costs.
• Include time costs in future cost-effectiveness analyses and barrier identification.