[Cost-effectiveness of antismoking health counselling in primary health care].

OBJECTIVE

To study the cost-effectiveness of simple anti-smoking advice in Primary health care.

METHODS

We accomplish a cost-effectiveness analysis in the area of the Primary health care. As efficiency of the advice we use own results. To evaluate the smoking cessation we base on vital tables of the "25-State Cancer Prevention Study", discounted to the 5%. The costs have been calculated as of the tariffs used for services billing lent in primary health centers to not beneficiary of the social security. It was accomplished a sensibility analysis on different aspects with possible influence on the result.

RESULTS

The cost-effectiveness oscillated between 67,621 and 89,619 pesetas by year of life saved for the men and between 116,225 and 137,748 pesetas for the women, in function of the age. The relationship most favorable, for both sexes, it is between 45 and 54 years. In the group of 35 to 39 years, for the physicians, was of 89,419 and 163,934 pesetas for men and women respectively, and for the nursing personnel was oscillating between 43,955 and 81,523, for men; and between 80,584 and 149,460 pesetas for women in function of the considered salary.

CONCLUSIONS

It is an intervention with a very favorable relationship cost-effectiveness, at least, comparable to that of other customarily accepted preventive measures. The nursing advice is less effective that the physician advice, but it is, at least, equal of efficient in terms of cost by year of life saved.