Abstract
Population-based screening is one of the public health services that attempt to identify people at risk
of, or are already affected by, a disease. A number of health screening tests have been publicly funded in Thailand without rigorous assessment of scientific evidence. This study aims to develop an appropriate
population-based screening package in Thailand through a transparent, systematic, and participatory
process. Health problems were prioritized through a consultation meeting among stakeholders and reviewed
for their screening tools. The results were appraised and deliberated for consensus. The final
recommendations for appropriate population-based screening package include screening hepatitis B surface
antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) for hepatitis B virus infection; complete
blood count (CBC) or hematocrit level (Hct) for anemia in infants; fasting plasma glucose for diabetes;
global risk scores for coronary heart diseases; pulse palpitation for atrial fibrillation; body mass index for
malnutrition; Pap smear or VIA for cervical cancer; ASSIST for alcohol dependence; provider-initiated
voluntary counseling and testing for HIV infection; and visual acuity for traffic accident. Two screening
tests were recommended for self-examination: measurement of weight and height for malnutrition; and
calculation of waist-to-height ratio for obesity.
