Preferences for Colorectal Cancer Screening Tests: Differences Between Insured and Uninsured Beneficiaries of Iranian Health Transformation Plan

Abstract

Background: Study of individual preferences about different aspects of colorectal cancer screening tests can improve the compliance of people for these tests. Objectives: This study aimed to explore the differences in the preferences of average risk populations with different insurance coverage regarding the colorectal cancer (CRC) screening tests. Methods: Individual preferences were identified by a standard questionnaire that was completed by 500 people within the age of 50 to 75 and referred to a large government teaching hospital in Tehran between September 2016 and January 2017. Standard discrete choice models and conditional logit were used for analysis. Results: The final attributes were the test process, pain, place, sensitivity, interval, preparation, complications risk, reduced mortality rate, and cost. The result of conditional logit regression demonstrated that having complementary insurance coverage had a significant effect on individuals' preferences. Conclusions: This study suggests that different insurance coverage may lead to heterogeneity of preferences for CRC screening tests.