OBJECTIVES: To determine whether universal cervical screening in Colombia to reduce the incidence of preterm birth before 34 weeks is a cost-effective measure.

METHODS: A decision tree was constructed to determine the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of universal screening for preterm birth prevention compared to no screening. The perspective used was that of the health system, including only direct costs. The results were expressed in Colombian pesos. Utility was measured in quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). The time horizon was 24 weeks, which includes the time of gestation from screening to four weeks of the neonatal period. Efficacy and safety data were taken from the literature. The costs of the procedures were obtained from the tariff manual of the Colombian Ministry of Health; for drugs, the Colombian price regulation information system was used. Univariate and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed.

RESULTS: The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was $535.4 USD, which is below the threshold of 1 GDP point. Based on the results of the baseline model, 862 screenings are needed to prevent one neonatal death and 38 screenings are needed to prevent one preterm birth before 34 weeks.

CONCLUSIONS: In Colombia, universal screening with transvaginal cervicometry is considered a cost-effective strategy for reducing the incidence of delivery before 34 weeks, compared to the non-screening strategy, from the perspective of the health system.