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Neves LM, Pinto M, Zin OA, Cunha DP, Agonigi BNS, Motta FL, Gomes LHF, Horovitz DDG, Almeida DC, Malacarne J, Guida L, Braga A, Carvalho AB, Pereira E, Rodrigues APS, Sallum JMF, Zin AA, Vasconcelos ZFM. The cost of genetic diagnosis of suspected hereditary pediatric cataracts with whole-exome sequencing from a middle-income country perspective: a mixed costing analysis. J Community Genet 2024:10.1007/s12687-024-00708-9. [PMID: 38730191 DOI: 10.1007/s12687-024-00708-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Up to 25% of pediatric cataract cases are inherited. There is sparse information in the literature regarding the cost of whole-exome sequencing (WES) for suspected hereditary pediatric cataracts. Molecular diagnosis of suspected hereditary pediatric cataracts is important for comprehensive genetic counseling. We performed a partial economic evaluation with a mixed costing analysis, using reimbursement data and microcosting approach with a bottom-up technique to estimate the cost of using WES for genetic diagnosis of suspected hereditary pediatric cataracts from the perspective of the Brazilian governmental health care system. One hundred and ten participants from twenty-nine families in Rio de Janeiro (RJ) were included. Costs of consumables, staff and equipment were calculated. Two scenarios were created: (1) The reference scenario included patients from RJ with suspected hereditary pediatric cataracts plus two family members. (2) The alternative scenario considered other genetic diseases, resulting in 5,280 exams per month. Sensitivity analysis was also performed. In the reference scenario, the total cost per exam was 700.09 United States dollars (USD), and in the alternative scenario, the total cost was 559.23 USD. The cost of WES alone was 527.85 USD in the reference scenario and 386.98 USD in the alternative scenario. Sensitivity analysis revealed that the largest costs were associated with consumables in both scenarios. Economic evaluations can help inform policy decisions, especially in middle-income countries such as Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luiza M Neves
- Instituto Fernandes Figueira-Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, 22250-020, Brazil
- Department of Ophthalmology, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 20551-030, Brazil
| | - Márcia Pinto
- Instituto Fernandes Figueira-Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, 22250-020, Brazil.
| | - Olivia A Zin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, 04039-032, Brazil
- Instituto Brasileiro de Oftalmologia, Rio de Janeiro, 22250-040, Brazil
| | - Daniela P Cunha
- Instituto Fernandes Figueira-Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, 22250-020, Brazil
| | - Bruna N S Agonigi
- Instituto Fernandes Figueira-Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, 22250-020, Brazil
| | | | - Leonardo H F Gomes
- Instituto Fernandes Figueira-Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, 22250-020, Brazil
| | - Dafne D G Horovitz
- Instituto Fernandes Figueira-Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, 22250-020, Brazil
| | - Daltro C Almeida
- Instituto Fernandes Figueira-Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, 22250-020, Brazil
| | - Jocieli Malacarne
- Instituto Fernandes Figueira-Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, 22250-020, Brazil
| | - Leticia Guida
- Instituto Fernandes Figueira-Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, 22250-020, Brazil
| | - Andressa Braga
- Instituto Nacional de Cardiologia, Rio de Janeiro, 22240-006, Brazil
| | - Adriana Bastos Carvalho
- Instituto Nacional de Cardiologia, Rio de Janeiro, 22240-006, Brazil
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-971, Brazil
| | | | - Ana Paula S Rodrigues
- Department of Ophthalmology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, 04039-032, Brazil
| | - Juliana M F Sallum
- Department of Ophthalmology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, 04039-032, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Cardiologia, Rio de Janeiro, 22240-006, Brazil
| | - Andrea A Zin
- Instituto Fernandes Figueira-Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, 22250-020, Brazil
- Instituto Brasileiro de Oftalmologia, Rio de Janeiro, 22250-040, Brazil
- Instituto Catarata Infantil, Rio de Janeiro, 22250-040, Brazil
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Turnbull MR, Gallo TF, Carter HE, Drew M, Toohey LA, Waddington G. Estimating the cost of sports injuries: A scoping review. J Sci Med Sport 2024; 27:307-313. [PMID: 38514294 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsams.2024.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Provide an overview of the methods used to estimate the cost of sports-related injury published to date, and to highlight considerations and opportunities for future research. DESIGN Scoping review. METHODS Scopus, MEDLINE and CINHAL were searched from 1st January 2000 to 1st January 2023. Studies were screened by two independent reviewers and were eligible if they reported on a cost analysis or cost estimation of sports related injury. RESULTS Thirty-one studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Twenty-seven studies (87 %) were published since 2014. The type of costs included direct healthcare costs (12 studies), indirect costs (10 studies) and a combination of both (9 studies). Twenty-one studies (68 %) used a bottom-up costing approach to measure costs of sports injury and estimated direct costs from the service rates or fee schedules of health systems, hospital, insurance companies or national insurance boards. A top-down approach was used in seven studies (23 %) to estimate the indirect salary cost of time-loss injuries using data from publicly available resources. Ten studies were from the cost perspective of a sporting organisation (32 %). There was a lack of explicit reporting of the costing method used and the perspective of those bearing the costs. CONCLUSIONS Estimating the cost of sports injuries is an emerging area of research, with publications increasing in recent years. However, there remains a lack of methodological guidance to inform or appraise these studies. The expansion of established cost of illness checklists with sport injury explanations to guide future cost of sports injury studies is recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew R Turnbull
- University of Canberra Research Institute for Sport and Exercise (UCRISE), Australia.
| | - Tania F Gallo
- Cricket Australia, Australia. https://twitter.com/TG2389
| | - Hannah E Carter
- Australian Centre for Health Services Innovation and Centre for Healthcare Transformation, School of Public Health and Social Work, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Australia. https://twitter.com/Hannah_E_Carter
| | - Michael Drew
- University of Canberra Research Institute for Sport and Exercise (UCRISE), Australia. https://twitter.com/_mickdrew
| | - Liam A Toohey
- University of Canberra Research Institute for Sport and Exercise (UCRISE), Australia; Australian Institute of Sport, Australia. https://twitter.com/LiamAToohey
| | - Gordon Waddington
- University of Canberra Research Institute for Sport and Exercise (UCRISE), Australia; Australian Institute of Sport, Australia. https://twitter.com/DrGWaddington
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Tsorou C, Williams A, van den Boogaard W, Staderini N, Repetto E, Terzidis A, Pikoulis E. Point-of-care diagnostics for sexually transmitted infections among migrants in Greece. Public Health Action 2024; 14:14-19. [PMID: 38798779 PMCID: PMC11122709 DOI: 10.5588/pha.23.0022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
SETTING Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can impact individuals of any demographic. The most common pathogens causing STIs are Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhea and Trichomonas vaginalis; these can be treated with specific antibiotics. OBJECTIVE To compare the GeneXpert CT/NG test-and-treat algorithm to the syndromic approach algorithm and their impact on antibiotic prescription for gonorrhoea and chlamydia STIs. DESIGN A retrospective observational study on women aged ≥18 years who accessed the Médecins Sans Frontières Day Care Centre in Athens with complaints related to urogenital infections between January 2021 and March 2022. Women with abnormal vaginal discharge, excluding clinically diagnosed candidiasis, were eligible for Xpert CT/NG testing. RESULTS Of the 450 women who accessed care, 84 were eligible for Xpert CT/NG testing, and only one was positive for chlamydia, therefore resulting in saving 81 doses of ceftriaxone and azithromycin, and 19 doses of metronidazole. The cost of Xpert CT/NG testing, including treatment was €4,606.37, while full antibiotic treatment would have costed €536.76. CONCLUSION The overall cost of the Xpert CT/NG test-and-treat algorithm was higher than the syndromic approach. However, quality of care should be weighed against the potential benefits of testing and syndromic treatment to determine the best option for each patient; we therefore advocate for decreasing the costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Tsorou
- Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), Operational Centre Geneva, Mission Greece, Athens
- Disaster Medicine, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - A Williams
- MSF, Luxembourg Operational Research (LuxOR) Unit, Operational Centre Brussels, Brussels
- MSF, Middle East Medical Unit (MEMU), Operational Centre Brussels, Belgium
| | - W van den Boogaard
- MSF, Luxembourg Operational Research (LuxOR) Unit, Operational Centre Brussels, Brussels
| | - N Staderini
- MSF, Operational Centre Geneva Medical Department, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - E Repetto
- MSF, Operational Centre Geneva Medical Department, Geneva, Switzerland
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Saint Pierre University Hospital, Brussels, Belgium
| | - A Terzidis
- Disaster Medicine, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - E Pikoulis
- Disaster Medicine, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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Mangenah C, Sibanda EL, Maringwa G, Sithole J, Gudukeya S, Mugurungi O, Hatzold K, Terris-Prestholt F, Maheswaran H, Thirumurthy H, Cowan FM. Provider and female client economic costs of integrated sexual and reproductive health and HIV services in Zimbabwe. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0291082. [PMID: 38346046 PMCID: PMC10861069 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0291082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
A retrospective facility-based costing study was undertaken to estimate the comparative cost per visit of five integrated sexual and reproductive health and HIV (human immuno-deficiency virus) services (provider perspective) within five clinic sites. These five clinics were part of four service delivery models: Non-governmental-organisation (NGO) directly managed model (Chitungwiza and New Africa House sites), NGO partner managed site (Mutare site), private-public-partnership (PPP) model (Chitungwiza Profam Clinic), and NGO directly managed outreach (operating from New Africa House site. In addition client cost exit interviews (client perspective) were conducted among 856 female clients exiting integrated services at three of the sites. Our costing approach involved first a facility bottom-up costing exercise (February to April 2015), conducted to quantify and value each resource input required to provide individual SRH and HIV services. Secondly overhead financial expenditures were allocated top-down from central office to sites and then respective integrated service based on pre-defined allocation factors derived from both the site facility observations and programme data for the prior 12 months. Costs were assessed in 2015 United States dollars (USD). Costs were assessed for HIV testing and counselling, screening and treatment of sexually transmitted infections, tuberculosis screening with smear microscopy, family planning, and cervical cancer screening and treatment employing visual inspection with acetic acid and cervicography and cryotherapy. Variability in costs per visit was evident across the models being highest for cervical cancer screening and cryotherapy (range: US$6.98-US$49.66). HIV testing and counselling showed least variability (range; US$10.96-US$16.28). In general the PPP model offered integrated services at the lowest unit costs whereas the partner managed site was highest. Significant client costs remain despite availability of integrated sexual and reproductive health and HIV services free of charge in our Zimbabwe study setting. Situating services closer to communities, incentives, transport reimbursements, reducing waiting times and co-location of sexual and reproductive health and HIV services may help minimise impact of client costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Collin Mangenah
- Centre for Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Research (CeSHHAR), Harare, Zimbabwe
- Department of International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Euphemia L. Sibanda
- Centre for Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Research (CeSHHAR), Harare, Zimbabwe
- Department of International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Galven Maringwa
- Centre for Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Research (CeSHHAR), Harare, Zimbabwe
- Department of International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | - Karin Hatzold
- Population Services International, Washington DC, United States of America
| | | | | | - Harsha Thirumurthy
- Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
| | - Frances M. Cowan
- Centre for Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Research (CeSHHAR), Harare, Zimbabwe
- Department of International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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BALASUBRAMANIAN R, SHEARER K, MUDZENGI D, HIPPNER P, GOLUB JE, CHIHOTA V, HOFFMANN CJ, KENDALL EA. Modeling the impact of universal tuberculosis molecular testing and timing of tuberculosis preventive treatment during antiretroviral therapy initiation in South Africa. AIDS 2023; 37:2371-2379. [PMID: 37650763 PMCID: PMC10782927 DOI: 10.1097/qad.0000000000003707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Targeted universal tuberculosis (TB) testing can improve TB detection among people with HIV. This approach is being scaled up in South Africa through Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra testing for individuals starting antiretroviral therapy and annually thereafter. Clarity is needed on how Universal Xpert testing may affect TB preventive treatment (TPT) provision, and on whether TPT should be delayed until TB is ruled out. DESIGN State-transition microsimulation. METHODS We simulated a cohort of South African patients being screened for TB while entering HIV care. We compared clinical and cost outcomes between four TB screening algorithms: symptom-based, C-reactive protein-based, and Universal Xpert testing with either simultaneous or delayed TPT initiation. RESULTS Prompt TB treatment initiation among simulated patients with TB increased from 26% (24-28%) under symptom screening to 53% (50-56%) with Universal Xpert testing. Universal Xpert testing led to increased TPT uptake when TPT initiation was simultaneous, but to approximately 50% lower TPT uptake if TPT was delayed. Universal Xpert with simultaneous TPT prevented incident TB compared to either symptom screening (median 17 cases averted per 5000 patients) or Universal Xpert with delayed TPT (median 23 averted). Universal Xpert with Simultaneous TPT cost approximately $39 per incremental TPT course compared to Universal Xpert with delayed TPT. CONCLUSIONS Universal Xpert testing can promote timely treatment for newly diagnosed people with HIV who have active TB. Pairing universal testing with immediate TPT will improve the promptness, uptake, and preventive effects of TPT. Simultaneous improvements to TB care cascades are needed to maximize impact.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kate SHEARER
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | | | - Jonathan E. GOLUB
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Violet CHIHOTA
- Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa
- University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, USA
| | - Christopher J HOFFMANN
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Emily A KENDALL
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Faujdar DS, Prinja S, Singh T, Sahay S, Kumar R. Costing analysis of an information & communications technology-enabled primary healthcare facility in India. Indian J Med Res 2023; 157:231-238. [PMID: 37282386 PMCID: PMC10438417 DOI: 10.4103/ijmr.ijmr_454_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2020] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES Information and communications technology (ICT) has often been endorsed as an effective tool to improve primary healthcare. However, evidence on the cost of ICT-enabled primary health centre (PHC) is lacking. The present study aimed at estimating the costs for customization and implementation of an integrated health information system for primary healthcare at a public sector urban primary healthcare facility in Chandigarh. METHODS We undertook economic costing of an ICT-enabled PHC based on health system perspective and bottom-up costing. All the resources used for the provision of ICT-enabled PHC, capital and recurrent, were identified, measured and valued. The capital items were annualized over their estimated life using a discount rate of 3 per cent. A sensitivity analysis was undertaken to assess the effect of parameter uncertainties. Finally, we assessed the cost of scaling up ICT-enabled PHC at the state level. RESULTS The estimated overall annual cost of delivering health services through PHC in the public sector was ₹ 7.88 million. The additional economic cost of ICT was ₹ 1.39 million i.e. 17.7 per cent over and above a non-ICT PHC cost. In a PHC with ICT, the cost per capita increased by ₹ 56. On scaling up to the state level (with 400 PHCs), the economic cost of ICT was estimated to be ₹ 0.47 million per year per PHC, which equates to approximately six per cent expenditure over and above the economic cost of a regular PHC. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS Implementing a model of information technology-PHC in a state of India would require an augmentation of cost by about six per cent, which seems fiscally sustainable. However, contextual factors related to the availability of infrastructure, human resources and medical supplies for delivering quality PHC services will also need to be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shankar Prinja
- Department of Community Medicine & School of Public Health, Chandigarh, India
| | - Tarundeep Singh
- Department of Community Medicine & School of Public Health, Chandigarh, India
| | - Sundeep Sahay
- Department of Informatics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Rajesh Kumar
- Department of Community Medicine & School of Public Health, Chandigarh, India
- Former Dean (Academic), Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh, India
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Smith E, Masson L, Passmore JAS, Sinanovic E. Cost-effectiveness analysis of different screening and diagnostic strategies for sexually transmitted infections and bacterial vaginosis in women attending primary health care facilities in Cape Town. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1048091. [PMID: 36935688 PMCID: PMC10018124 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1048091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Genital inflammation associated with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and bacterial vaginosis (BV) is considered a key driver in the HIV epidemic. A new rapid point-of-care test (POC) that detects genital inflammation in women-Genital InFlammation Test (GIFT)-was recently developed by researchers at the University of Cape Town. The objective of this study was to establish the cost-effectiveness of this novel intervention relative to other relevant screening and diagnostic strategies for the management of STIs and BV in women seeking care in the public health sector in South Africa. Methods A decision analysis model was developed for five different screening and diagnostic strategies for women incorporating syndromic management, screening with GIFT and using etiological diagnosis. A decision tree was constructed using Microsoft Excel Office 365, and cost and effectiveness parameters were obtained from published literature and market prices. The model incorporated all clinic-level and treatment costs associated with diagnosing and treating a single episode of disease. The effectiveness of each approach was proxied by its sensitivity. One-way and threshold sensitivity analyses were conducted to test key uncertainties and assumptions in the model. Results Screening with GIFT, and following with antibiotic treatment according to syndromic management guidelines for GIFT-positive cases, was the most cost-effective strategy with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of USD 11.08 per women diagnosed with an STI(s) and/or BV and provided treatment. This strategy resulted in lower rates of overtreatment compared to syndromic management, but higher rates compared to etiological diagnosis using nucleic acid amplification tests and microscopy. However, following a GIFT positive test with etiological diagnosis prior to treatment did not increase the effectiveness, but dramatically increased the cost. Conclusion Screening with GIFT and treating positive cases according to syndromic management guidelines is the most cost-effective strategy for the management of STIs and BV. GIFT has a potential to significantly improve the management of STIs and BV in women by identifying asymptomatic women and reducing their risk of HIV infection. This analysis presents a first step in establishing the cost-effectiveness of these interventions and paves the way for further research to develop optimal context-specific implementation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elise Smith
- Health Economics Unit, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- *Correspondence: Elise Smith
| | - Lindi Masson
- Division of Medical Virology, Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Life Sciences Discipline, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jo-Ann S. Passmore
- Division of Medical Virology, Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- National Health Laboratory Service, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Edina Sinanovic
- Health Economics Unit, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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Bahuguna P, Masaki E, Jeet G, Prinja S. Financing Comprehensive Immunization Services in Lao PDR: A Fiscal Space Analysis From a Public Policy Perspective. APPLIED HEALTH ECONOMICS AND HEALTH POLICY 2023; 21:131-140. [PMID: 36136264 PMCID: PMC9492462 DOI: 10.1007/s40258-022-00763-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION A comprehensive package of immunization services is an internal component of the Essential Health Service Package (ESP) implemented by Government of Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR). Thus, the cost of delivering the immunization program and its feasibility given the fiscal space emerges as an important policy question. The present analysis was undertaken to estimate the total cost of implementing the immunization program under ESP, determinants of total cost and the program's fiscal implications from the government's perspective. METHODOLOGY We employed a normative costing approach for costing of immunization services under ESP. Standard treatment guidelines (STGs) from both within and outside Lao PDR were considered to identify the resource use for each vaccine delivery. Subsequently, cost per dose administered and fully immunized beneficiary were computed. We assessed the fiscal space for financing immunization services in Lao PDR by adapting the decomposition method given by Tandon et al. RESULTS: In 2019, the estimated total cost of financing immunization in Lao PDR was US$12 million, which will increase in 2025 by 1.75 times, to US$21 million. The per capita budget for immunization needs to increase from about US$2 to US$7. Introduction of newer vaccines in the immunization schedule accounts for the major share (60%) of the increased cost for financing immunization. In view of current fiscal space, the government immunization expenditure (GIE) allocations will be adequate only in a scenario where no new vaccine is introduced under ESP in future years. CONCLUSION The current fiscal space would fall short of meeting the aspirational goals of ESP-Immunization for the introduction of newer vaccines in Lao PDR. The present analysis of the fiscal space provides important evidence to support a greater role for the Global Alliance for Vaccine Initiative (GAVI) to continue to finance immunization in Lao PDR. A publicly financed immunization model in Lao PDR would require significant strategic amendments with low short-term viability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pankaj Bahuguna
- Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, 160012, India
- School of Health and Wellbeing, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, Health Economics and Health Technology Assessment, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Emiko Masaki
- Health, Nutrition and Population, World Bank, Vientiane, Lao PDR
| | - Gursimer Jeet
- Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, 160012, India
| | - Shankar Prinja
- Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, 160012, India.
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Singh MP, Popli R, Brar S, Rajsekar K, Sachin O, Naik J, Kumar S, Sinha S, Singh V, Patel P, Verma R, Hazra A, Misra R, Mehrotra D, Biswal SB, Panigrahy A, Gaur KL, Pankaj JP, Sharma DK, Madhavi K, Madhusudana P, Narayanasamy K, Chitra A, Velhal GD, Bhondve AS, Bahl R, Kaur S, Prinja S. CHSI costing study-Challenges and solutions for cost data collection in private hospitals in India. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0276399. [PMID: 36508431 PMCID: PMC9744278 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0276399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) has enabled the Government of India to become a strategic purchaser of health care services from private providers. To generate base cost evidence for evidence-based policymaking the Costing of Health Services in India (CHSI) study was commissioned in 2018 for the price setting of health benefit packages. This paper reports the findings of a process evaluation of the cost data collection in the private hospitals. METHODS The process evaluation of health system costing in private hospitals was an exploratory survey with mixed methods (quantitative and qualitative). We used three approaches-an online survey using a semi-structured questionnaire, in-depth interviews, and a review of monitoring data. The process of data collection was assessed in terms of time taken for different aspects, resources used, level and nature of difficulty encountered, challenges and solutions. RESULTS The mean time taken for data collection in a private hospital was 9.31 (± 1.0) person months including time for obtaining permissions, actual data collection and entry, and addressing queries for data completeness and quality. The longest time was taken to collect data on human resources (30%), while it took the least time for collecting information on building and space (5%). On a scale of 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest) difficulty levels, the data on human resources was the most difficult to collect. This included data on salaries (8), time allocation (5.5) and leaves (5). DISCUSSION Cost data from private hospitals is crucial for mixed health systems. Developing formal mechanisms of cost accounting data and data sharing as pre-requisites for empanelment under a national insurance scheme can significantly ease the process of cost data collection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maninder Pal Singh
- Department of Community Medicine & School of Public Health, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh, India
- Department of Global Health & Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Riya Popli
- Department of Community Medicine & School of Public Health, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Sehr Brar
- Department of Community Medicine & School of Public Health, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Kavitha Rajsekar
- Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, New Delhi, India
| | - Oshima Sachin
- Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, New Delhi, India
| | - Jyotsna Naik
- Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, New Delhi, India
| | - Sanjay Kumar
- Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Science, Patna, Bihar, India
| | - Setu Sinha
- Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Science, Patna, Bihar, India
| | - Varsha Singh
- Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Science, Patna, Bihar, India
| | - Prakash Patel
- Surat Municipal Institute of Medical Education & Research, Surat, Gujarat, India
| | - Ramesh Verma
- Pt. B.D.Sharma Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Rohtak, Haryana, India
| | - Avijit Hazra
- Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Raghunath Misra
- Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Divya Mehrotra
- King George’s Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Sashi Bhusan Biswal
- Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Burla, Odisha, India
| | - Ankita Panigrahy
- Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Burla, Odisha, India
| | | | | | | | - Kondeti Madhavi
- Sri Venkateswara Medical College, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | | | | | - A. Chitra
- Madras Medical College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | | | - Amit S. Bhondve
- Seth G S Medical College & KEM Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Rakesh Bahl
- Government Medical College, Jammu, Jammu & Kashmir, India
| | | | - Shankar Prinja
- Department of Community Medicine & School of Public Health, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh, India
- National Health Authority, Government of India, New Delhi, India
- * E-mail:
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Minwyelet Terefe M, Eyob H, Letta T, Nadew E, Assefa T, Hailu B, Cunnama L, Garcia Baena I, Vassall A, Sweeney S, Laurence YV. Efficiency of TB service provision in the public and private health sectors in Ethiopia. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis 2022; 26:1128-1136. [PMID: 36447315 PMCID: PMC9728951 DOI: 10.5588/ijtld.21.0481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The Ethiopian Government has identified efficiency of TB services as a key priority in planning and budgeting. Understanding the magnitude and sources of inefficiencies is key to ensuring value for money and improved service provision, and a requirement from donors to justify resource needs. This study identifies the cost of providing a wide range of TB services in public and private facilities in Ethiopia.METHODS: Financial and economic unit costs were estimated from a health provider´s perspective, and collected retrospectively in 26 health facilities using both top-down (TD) and bottom-up (BU) costing approaches for each TB service output. Capacity inefficiency was assessed by investigating the variation between TD and BU unit costs where the factor was 2.0 or more.RESULTS: Overall, TD unit costs were two times higher than BU unit costs. There was some variation across facility ownership and level of care. Unit costs in urban facilities were on average 3.8 times higher than in rural facilities.CONCLUSION: We identified some substantial inefficiencies in staff, consumable and capital inputs. Addressing these inefficiencies and rearranging the TB service delivery modality would be important in ensuring the achievement of the country´s End TB strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - H Eyob
- Armauer Hansen Research Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - T Letta
- National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme, Ethiopia Federal Ministry of Health, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - E Nadew
- Armauer Hansen Research Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - T Assefa
- Armauer Hansen Research Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - B Hailu
- Armauer Hansen Research Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - L Cunnama
- Health Economics Unit and Division, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - I Garcia Baena
- Global TB Programme, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - A Vassall
- Global Health Economics Centre, Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - S Sweeney
- Global Health Economics Centre, Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Y V Laurence
- Global Health Economics Centre, Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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11
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Mukora R, Smith HJ, Herce ME, Chimoyi L, Hausler H, Fielding KL, Charalambous S, Hoffmann CJ. Costs of implementing universal test and treat in three correctional facilities in South Africa and Zambia. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0272595. [PMID: 36006967 PMCID: PMC9409581 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0272595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction
Universal test and treat (UTT) is a population-based strategy that aims to ensure widespread HIV testing and rapid antiretroviral therapy (ART) for all who have tested positive regardless of CD4 count to decrease HIV incidence and improve health outcomes. Little is known about the specific resources required to implement UTT in correctional facilities for incarcerated people. The primary aim of this study was to describe the resources used to implement UTT and to provide detailed costing to inform UTT scale-up in similar settings.
Methods
The costing study was a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted in three correctional complexes, Johannesburg Correctional Facility in Johannesburg (>4000 inmates) South Africa, and Brandvlei (~3000 inmates), South Africa and Lusaka Central (~1400 inmates), Zambia. Costing was determined through a survey conducted between September and December 2017 that identified materials and labour used for three separate components of UTT: HIV testing services (HTS), ART initiation, and ART maintenance. Our study participants were staff working in the correctional facilities involved in any activity related to UTT implementation. Unit costs were reported as cost per client served while total costs were reported for all clients seen over a 12-month period.
Results
The cost of HIV testing services (HTS) per client was $ 92.12 at Brandvlei, $ 73.82 at Johannesburg, and $ 65.15 at Lusaka. The largest cost driver for HIV testing at Brandvlei were staff costs at 55.6% of the total cost, while at Johannesburg (56.5%) and Lusaka (86.6%) supplies were the largest contributor. The cost per client initiated on ART was $917 for Brandvlei, $421.8 for Johannesburg, and $252.1 for Lusaka. The activity cost drivers were adherence counselling at Brandvlei (59%), and at Johannesburg and Lusaka it was the actual ART initiation at 75.6% and 75.8%, respectively. The annual unit cost for ART maintenance was $2,640.6 for Brandvlei, $710 for Johannesburg, and $385.5 for Lusaka. The activity cost drivers for all three facilities were side effect monitoring, and initiation of isoniazid preventive treatment (IPT), cotrimoxazole, and fluconazole, with this comprising 44.7% of the total cost at Brandvlei, 88.9% at Johannesburg, and 50.5% at Lusaka.
Conclusion
Given the needs of this population, the opportunity to reach inmates at high risk for HIV, and overall national and global 95-95-95 goals, the UTT policies for incarcerated individuals are of vital importance. Our findings provide comparator costing data and highlight key drivers of UTT cost by facility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Mukora
- The Aurum Institute, Aurum House, The Ridge, Johannesburg, South Africa
- * E-mail:
| | - Helene J. Smith
- Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ), Lusaka, Zambia
- School of Public Health & Community Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Michael E. Herce
- Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ), Lusaka, Zambia
- Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
| | - Lucy Chimoyi
- The Aurum Institute, Aurum House, The Ridge, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | - Katherine L. Fielding
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Salome Charalambous
- The Aurum Institute, Aurum House, The Ridge, Johannesburg, South Africa
- School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Christopher J. Hoffmann
- The Aurum Institute, Aurum House, The Ridge, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
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Batura N, Kasteng F, Condoane J, Bagorogosa B, Castel-Branco AC, Kertho E, Källander K, Soremekun S, Lingam R, Vassall A, Tibenderana J, Meek S, Hill Z, Strachan D, Ayebale G, Nakirunda M, Counihan H, Ndima S, Muiambo A, Salomao N, Kirkwood B. Costs of treating childhood malaria, diarrhoea and pneumonia in rural Mozambique and Uganda. Malar J 2022; 21:239. [PMID: 35987625 PMCID: PMC9392282 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-022-04254-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Globally, nearly half of all deaths among children under the age of 5 years can be attributed to malaria, diarrhoea, and pneumonia. A significant proportion of these deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite several programmes implemented in sub-Saharan Africa, the burden of these illnesses remains persistently high. To mobilise resources for such programmes it is necessary to evaluate their costs, costs-effectiveness, and affordability. This study aimed to estimate the provider costs of treating malaria, diarrhoea, and pneumonia among children under the age of 5 years in routine settings at the health facility level in rural Uganda and Mozambique. Methods Service and cost data was collected from health facilities in midwestern Uganda and Inhambane province, Mozambique from private and public health facilities. Financial and economic costs of providing care for childhood illnesses were investigated from the provider perspective by combining a top-down and bottom-up approach to estimate unit costs and annual total costs for different types of visits for these illnesses. All costs were collected in Ugandan shillings and Mozambican meticais. Costs are presented in 2021 US dollars. Results In Uganda, the highest number of outpatient visits were for children with uncomplicated malaria and of inpatient admissions were for respiratory infections, including pneumonia. The highest unit cost for outpatient visits was for pneumonia (and other respiratory infections) and ranged from $0.5 to 2.3, while the highest unit cost for inpatient admissions was for malaria ($19.6). In Mozambique, the highest numbers of outpatient and inpatient admissions visits were for malaria. The highest unit costs were for malaria too, ranging from $2.5 to 4.2 for outpatient visits and $3.8 for inpatient admissions. The greatest contributors to costs in both countries were drugs and diagnostics, followed by staff. Conclusions The findings highlighted the intensive resource use in the treatment of malaria and pneumonia for outpatient and inpatient cases, particularly at higher level health facilities. Timely treatment to prevent severe complications associated with these illnesses can also avoid high costs to health providers, and households. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT01972321. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12936-022-04254-y.
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13
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Ngabonzima A, Asingizwe D, Cechetto D, Mukunde G, Nyalihama A, Gakwerere M, Epstein DM. Evaluating the medical direct costs associated with prematurity during the initial hospitalization in Rwanda: a prevalence based cost of illness study. BMC Health Serv Res 2022; 22:953. [PMID: 35897023 PMCID: PMC9327227 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-08283-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Prematurity is still the leading cause of global neonatal mortality, Rwanda included, even though advanced medical technology has improved survival. Initial hospitalization of premature babies (PBs) is associated with high costs which have an impact on Rwanda’s health budget. In Rwanda, these costs are not known, while knowing them would allow better planning, hence the purpose and motivation for this research. Methods This was a prospective cost of illness study using a prevalence approach conducted in 5 hospitals (University Teaching Hospital of Butare, Gisenyi, Masaka, Muhima, and Ruhengeri). It included PBs admitted from June to July 2021 followed up prospectively to determine the medical direct costs (MDC) by enumerating the cost of all inputs. Descriptive analyses and ordinary least squares regression were used to illustrate factors associated with and predictive of mean cost. The significance level was set at p < 0.05. Results A total of 123 PBs were included. Very preterm and moderate PBs were 36.6% and 23.6% respectively and the average birth weight (BW) was 1724 g (SD: 408.1 g). The overall mean MDC was $237.7 per PB (SD: $294.9) representing 28% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita per year. Costs per PB varied with weight category, prematurity degree, hospital level, and length of stay (LoS) among other variables. MDC was dominated by drugs and supplies (65%) with oxygen being an influential driver of MDC accounting for 38.4% of total MDC. Birth weight, oxygen therapy, and hospital level were significant MDC predictive factors. Conclusion This study provides an in-depth understanding of MDC of initial hospitalization of PBs in Rwanda. It also indicates predictive factors, including birth weight, which can be managed through measures to prevent or delay preterm birth. Implication for prematurity prevention and management The results suggest a need to revise the benefits and entitlements of insured people to include drugs and interventions not covered that are essential and where there are no alternatives. Having oxygen plants in hospitals may reduce oxygen-related costs. Furthermore, interventions to reduce prematurity should be evaluated using cost-effectiveness analysis since its overall burden is high. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12913-022-08283-w.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Domina Asingizwe
- College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - David Cechetto
- Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Gisele Mukunde
- Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
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14
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Quirola-Amores P, Espinosa P, Oleas S, Hernandez I, Henriquez AR, Teran E. HIV Rapid Testing in the General Population and the Usefulness of PrEP in Ecuador: A Cost–Utility Analysis. Front Public Health 2022; 10:884313. [PMID: 35784197 PMCID: PMC9247332 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.884313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction HIV is considered one of the most important chronic transmitted diseases worldwide. The Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS in 2020 proposed the strategy “95–95–95” which goals to achieve a 95% of cases identified, receives ART, and will have achieved suppression of the virus. In Ecuador by 2020, according to the Ministry of Public Health, 45,056 persons are living with HIV, principally men between 15 and 49 years, and a mortality rate of 4.8/100,000 habitats. This study aims to determine the cost–utility of applying an early screening to a sexually active population vs. only a high-risk population and if the use of PrEP is justified depending on different contexts. Methods For the cost–utility evaluation, it was compared: (a) HIV screening performed only in the high-risk population vs. HIV screening in all population sexually active; and (b) the use of ART only for HIV treatment vs. ART as a treatment in diagnosed cases and the use of PrEP (only at a high-risk population of acquiring HIV). Calculation and weight of DALYs for HIV/SIDA were obtained through WHO guidelines. To generate the Markov model for HIV/AIDS, subjects were classified as symptomatic or asymptomatic, as well as the HIV deaths. Results Cost–benefit analysis (CUA) showed that ICER for early diagnosis had a negative value which means a saving if the strategy will be implemented as a regular test (–$591, –$4,360) and −108 and −934 DALYs, in the case of ART and PrEP, ICER the $30,541–$59,410, which resulted in more than the GDP's threshold and health years between 2,511 and 10,635 in the general population. With a reduction of 70% in the assigned budget for the early diagnosis, Ecuadorian people could lose between 4 and 6 DALYs, while if the budget reduces more than 50% to ART, it will generate a loss of 10–12 years of healthy life. Conclusion CUA demonstrates that an early diagnosis in a sexually active population is cost-beneficial. This, combined with ART or PrEP, is ideal to add years of healthy life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulina Quirola-Amores
- Instituto de Microbiología, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito, Ecuador
- Colegio de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Pablo Espinosa
- Colegio de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito, Ecuador
- Facultad de Medicina, Medicina, Universidad de Las Américas, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Sebastian Oleas
- Instituto de Economía, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Isabel Hernandez
- Colegio de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito, Ecuador
| | | | - Enrique Teran
- Instituto de Microbiología, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito, Ecuador
- Colegio de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito, Ecuador
- *Correspondence: Enrique Teran
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15
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Traore MM, Badiane K, Vautier A, Simo Fotso A, Kanku Kabemba O, Rouveau N, Maheu-Giroux M, Boily MC, Larmarange J, Terris-Prestholt F, d'Elbée M. Economic Analysis of Low Volume Interventions Using Real-World Data: Costs of HIV Self-Testing Distribution and HIV Testing Services in West Africa From the ATLAS Project. FRONTIERS IN HEALTH SERVICES 2022; 2:886513. [PMID: 36925821 PMCID: PMC10012764 DOI: 10.3389/frhs.2022.886513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Achieving the first 95 of the UNAIDS targets requires the implementation of innovative approaches to knowing one's HIV status. Among these innovations is the provision of HIV self-testing (HIVST) kits in west Africa by the international partner organization Solthis (IPO). In order to provide guidance for the optimal use of financial resources, this study aims to estimate the program and site level costs of dispensing HIVST as well as HIV testing services (HTS)-excluding HIVST-in health facilities in Côte d'Ivoire, Mali and Senegal as part of the ATLAS project. We estimated from the provider's perspective, HIVST and HTS incremental costs using top-down and bottom-up costing approaches and conducted a time and motion study. We identified costs at the program level for HIVST (including IPO central costs) and at the site level for HIVST and HTS. The economic costs of distributing HIVST kits were assessed in 37 health facilities between July 2019 and March 2021 (21 months). Sensitivity analyses were also performed on unit costs to examine the robustness of our estimates related to key assumptions. In total, 16,001 HIVST kits were dispensed for 32,194 HTS sessions carried out. Program level HIVST average costs ranged $12-286, whereas site level costs ranged $4-26 across distribution channels and countries. Site level HTS costs ranged $7-8 per testing session, and ranged $72-705 per HIV diagnosis. Across countries and channels, HIVST costs were driven by personnel (27-68%) and HIVST kits (32-73%) costs. The drivers of HTS costs were personnel costs ranging between 65 and 71% of total costs across distribution channels and countries, followed by supplies costs between 21 and 30%. While program level HIVST average costs were high, site level HIVST average costs remained comparable to HTS costs in all countries. Health facility-based distribution channels operating at low volume exhibit high proportion of central costs which should be considered carefully for financial planning when run alongside high volumes mobile outreach distribution channels. HIVST can diversify the HIV testing offer at health facilities, thus improving access to screening for target populations not reached by HTS services.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kéba Badiane
- Solidarité Thérapeutique et Initiative pour la Santé, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Anthony Vautier
- Solidarité Thérapeutique et Initiative pour la Santé, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Arlette Simo Fotso
- Centre Population et Développement (Ceped), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Université de Paris, Inserm, Paris, France
| | | | - Nicolas Rouveau
- Centre Population et Développement (Ceped), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Université de Paris, Inserm, Paris, France
| | - Mathieu Maheu-Giroux
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, School of Population and Global Health, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Marie-Claude Boily
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Medical Research Council Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Joseph Larmarange
- Centre Population et Développement (Ceped), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Université de Paris, Inserm, Paris, France
| | - Fern Terris-Prestholt
- Department of Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Marc d'Elbée
- Department of Global Health in the Global South, Bordeaux Population Health, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (Inserm), University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
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16
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Morrison LTR, Brown EG, Paganelli CR, Bhattarai S, Hailu R, Ntakirutimana G, Mbarushimana D, Subedi N, Goco N. Cost Evaluation of Minimally Invasive Tissue Sampling (MITS) Implementation in Low- and Middle-Income Countries. Clin Infect Dis 2021; 73:S401-S407. [PMID: 34910172 PMCID: PMC8672771 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciab828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) face disproportionately high mortality rates, yet the causes of death in LMICs are not robustly understood, limiting the effectiveness of interventions to reduce mortality. Minimally invasive tissue sampling (MITS) is a standardized postmortem examination method that holds promise for use in LMICs, where other approaches for determining cause of death are too costly or unacceptable. This study documents the costs associated with implementing the MITS procedure in LMICs from the healthcare provider perspective and aims to inform resource allocation decisions by public health decisionmakers. Methods We surveyed 4 sites in LMICs across Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia with experience conducting MITS. Using a bottom-up costing approach, we collected direct costs of resources (labor and materials) to conduct MITS and the pre-implementation costs required to initiate MITS. Results Initial investments range widely yet represent a substantial cost to implement MITS and are determined by the existing infrastructure and needs of a site. The costs to conduct a single case range between $609 and $1028 per case and are driven by labor, sample testing, and MITS supplies costs. Conclusions Variation in each site’s use of staff roles and testing protocols suggests sites conducting MITS may adapt use of resources based on available expertise, equipment, and surveillance objectives. This study is a first step toward necessary examinations of cost-effectiveness, which may provide insight into cost optimization and economic justification for the expansion of MITS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Suraj Bhattarai
- Gandaki Medical College Teaching Hospital and Research Center, Pokhara, Nepal
| | - Rahell Hailu
- College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | | | - Djibril Mbarushimana
- Kigali University Teaching Hospital, Kigali, Rwanda.,University Teaching Hospital of Butare, Huye, Rwanda
| | - Nuwadatta Subedi
- Gandaki Medical College Teaching Hospital and Research Center, Pokhara, Nepal
| | - Norman Goco
- RTI International, Durham, North Carolina, USA
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17
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Chikovani I, Shengelia N, Marjanishvili N, Gabunia T, Khonelidze I, Cunnama L, Garcia Baena I, Kitson N, Sweeney S, Vassall A, Laurence YV. Cost of TB services in the public and private sectors in Georgia (No 2). Int J Tuberc Lung Dis 2021; 25:1019-1027. [PMID: 34886933 PMCID: PMC8675873 DOI: 10.5588/ijtld.21.0176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Patient-centred care along with optimal financing of inpatient and outpatient services are the main priorities of the Georgia National TB Programme (NTP). This paper presents TB diagnostics and treatment unit cost, their comparison with NTP tariffs and how the study findings informed TB financing policy.METHODS: Top-down (TD) and bottom-up (BU) mean unit costs for TB interventions by episode of care were calculated. TD costs were compared with NTP tariffs, and variations in these and the unit costs cost composition between public and private facilities was assessed.RESULTS: Outpatient interventions costs exceeded NTP tariffs. Unit costs in private facilities were higher compared with public providers. There was very little difference between per-day costs for drug-susceptible treatment and NTP tariffs in case of inpatient services. Treatment day financing exceeded actual costs in the capital (public facility) for drug-resistant TB, and this was lower in the regions.CONCLUSION: Use of reliable unit costs for TB services at policy discussions led to a shift from per-day payment to a diagnosis-related group model in TB inpatient financing in 2020. A next step will be informing policy decisions on outpatient TB care financing to reduce the existing gap between funding and costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Chikovani
- Curatio International Foundation, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - N Shengelia
- Curatio International Foundation, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | | | - T Gabunia
- Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Affairs, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - I Khonelidze
- National Center for Disease Control and Public Health, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - L Cunnama
- Health Economics Unit & Health Economics Division, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - I Garcia Baena
- TB Monitoring and Evaluation, Global TB Programme, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - N Kitson
- Centre for Health Economics in London, Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - S Sweeney
- Centre for Health Economics in London, Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - A Vassall
- Centre for Health Economics in London, Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Y V Laurence
- Centre for Health Economics in London, Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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18
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Ahmed S, Hasan MZ, Ali N, Ahmed MW, Haq E, Shabnam S, Chowdhury M, Gahan B, Bousquet C, Khan JAM, Islam Z. Effectiveness of health voucher scheme and micro-health insurance scheme to support the poor and extreme poor in selected urban areas of Bangladesh: An assessment using a mixed-method approach. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0256067. [PMID: 34723992 PMCID: PMC8559931 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0256067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background National healthcare financing strategy recommends tax-based equity funds and insurance schemes for the poor and extreme poor living in urban slums and pavements as the majority of these population utilise informal providers resulting in adverse health effects and financial hardship. We assessed the effect of a health voucher scheme (HVS) and micro-health insurance (MHI) scheme on healthcare utilisation and out-of-pocket (OOP) payments and the cost of implementing such schemes. Methods HVS and MHI schemes were implemented by Concern Worldwide through selected NGO health centres, referral hospitals, and private healthcare facilities in three City Corporations of Bangladesh from December 2016 to March 2020. A household survey with 1,294 enrolees, key-informant interviews, focus group discussions, consultative meetings, and document reviews were conducted for extracting data on healthcare utilisation, OOP payments, views of enrolees, and suggestions of implementers, and costs of services at the point of care. Results Healthcare utilisation including maternal, neonatal and child health (MNCH) services, particularly from medically trained providers, was higher and OOP payments were lower among the scheme enrolees compared to corresponding population groups in general. The beneficiaries were happy with their access to healthcare, especially for MNCH services, and their perceived quality of care was fair enough. They, however, suggested expanding the benefits package, supported by an additional workforce. The cost per beneficiary household for providing services per year was €32 in HVS and €15 in MHI scheme. Conclusion HVS and MHI schemes enabled higher healthcare utilisation at lower OOP payments among the enrolees, who were happy with their access to healthcare, particularly for MNCH services. However, they suggested a larger benefits package in future. The provider’s costs of the schemes were reasonable; however, there are potentials of cost containment by purchasing the health services for their beneficiaries in a competitive basis from the market. Scaling up such schemes addressing the drawback would contribute to achieving universal health coverage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayem Ahmed
- Mathematical Modelling Group, Oxford University Clinical Research Unit (OUCRU), Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), Liverpool, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Md. Zahid Hasan
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Nausad Ali
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS), Agargaon, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Mohammad Wahid Ahmed
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Jahangir A. M. Khan
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Health Economics and Policy Unit, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ziaul Islam
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka, Bangladesh
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Costs and cost-effectiveness of a comprehensive tuberculosis case finding strategy in Zambia. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0256531. [PMID: 34499668 PMCID: PMC8428570 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0256531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Active-case finding (ACF) programs have an important role in addressing case detection gaps and halting tuberculosis (TB) transmission. Evidence is limited on the cost-effectiveness of ACF interventions, particularly on how their value is impacted by different operational, epidemiological and patient care-seeking patterns. Methods We evaluated the costs and cost-effectiveness of a combined facility and community-based ACF intervention in Zambia that utilized mobile chest X-ray with computer-aided reading/interpretation software and laboratory-based Xpert MTB/RIF testing. Programmatic costs (in 2018 US dollars) were assessed from the health system perspective using prospectively collected cost and operational data. Cost-effectiveness of the ACF intervention was assessed as the incremental cost per TB death averted over a five-year time horizon using a multi-stage Markov state-transition model reflecting patient symptom-associated care-seeking and TB care under ACF compared to passive care. Results Over 18 months of field operations, the ACF intervention costed $435 to diagnose and initiate treatment for one person with TB. After accounting for patient symptom-associated care-seeking patterns in Zambia, we estimate that this one-time ACF intervention would incrementally diagnose 407 (7,207 versus 6,800) TB patients and avert 502 (611 versus 1,113) TB-associated deaths compared to the status quo (passive case finding), at an incremental cost of $2,284 per death averted over the next five-year period. HIV/TB mortality rate, patient symptom-associated care-seeking probabilities in the absence of ACF, and the costs of ACF patient screening were key drivers of cost-effectiveness. Conclusions A one-time comprehensive ACF intervention simultaneously operating in public health clinics and corresponding catchment communities can have important medium-term impact on case-finding and be cost-effective in Zambia. The value of such interventions increases if targeted to populations with high HIV/TB mortality, substantial barriers (both behavioral and physical) to care-seeking exist, and when ACF interventions can optimize screening by achieving operational efficiency.
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Engmann C. Primary Health Care, Proverbs, and Promise? Improving Child Survival in Northern Togo. Pediatrics 2021; 148:peds.2021-051026. [PMID: 34452980 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2021-051026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Cyril Engmann
- Maternal, Newborn, Child Health and Nutrition, PATH, Seattle, Washington; and Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, and Department of Global Health, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
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21
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Pulkki-Brännström AM, Haghparast-Bidgoli H, Batura N, Colbourn T, Azad K, Banda F, Banda L, Borghi J, Fottrell E, Kim S, Makwenda C, Ojha AK, Prost A, Rosato M, Shaha SK, Sinha R, Costello A, Skordis J. Participatory learning and action cycles with women's groups to prevent neonatal death in low-resource settings: A multi-country comparison of cost-effectiveness and affordability. Health Policy Plan 2021; 35:1280-1289. [PMID: 33085753 PMCID: PMC7886438 DOI: 10.1093/heapol/czaa081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
WHO recommends participatory learning and action cycles with women's groups as a cost-effective strategy to reduce neonatal deaths. Coverage is a determinant of intervention effectiveness, but little is known about why cost-effectiveness estimates vary significantly. This article reanalyses primary cost data from six trials in India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Malawi to describe resource use, explore reasons for differences in costs and cost-effectiveness ratios, and model the cost of scale-up. Primary cost data were collated, and costing methods harmonized. Effectiveness was extracted from a meta-analysis and converted to neonatal life-years saved. Cost-effectiveness ratios were calculated from the provider perspective compared with current practice. Associations between unit costs and cost-effectiveness ratios with coverage, scale and intensity were explored. Scale-up costs and outcomes were modelled using local unit costs and the meta-analysis effect estimate for neonatal mortality. Results were expressed in 2016 international dollars. The average cost was $203 (range: $61-$537) per live birth. Start-up costs were large, and spending on staff was the main cost component. The cost per neonatal life-year saved ranged from $135 to $1627. The intervention was highly cost-effective when using income-based thresholds. Variation in cost-effectiveness across trials was strongly correlated with costs. Removing discounting of costs and life-years substantially reduced all cost-effectiveness ratios. The cost of rolling out the intervention to rural populations ranges from 1.2% to 6.3% of government health expenditure in the four countries. Our analyses demonstrate the challenges faced by economic evaluations of community-based interventions evaluated using a cluster randomized controlled trial design. Our results confirm that women's groups are a cost-effective and potentially affordable strategy for improving birth outcomes among rural populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anni-Maria Pulkki-Brännström
- Department of Epidemiology and Global Health, Umeå University, Umeå S-901 87, Sweden.,UCL Institute for Global Health, UCL (University College London), 30 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Hassan Haghparast-Bidgoli
- UCL Institute for Global Health, UCL (University College London), 30 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Neha Batura
- UCL Institute for Global Health, UCL (University College London), 30 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Tim Colbourn
- UCL Institute for Global Health, UCL (University College London), 30 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Kishwar Azad
- Perinatal Care Project, Diabetic Association of Bangladesh, 122 Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh
| | | | - Lumbani Banda
- Parent and Child Health Initiative (PACHI), Area 14 Plot 171, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Josephine Borghi
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London, WC1H 9SH, UK
| | - Edward Fottrell
- UCL Institute for Global Health, UCL (University College London), 30 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Sungwook Kim
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Charles Makwenda
- Parent and Child Health Initiative (PACHI), Area 14 Plot 171, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Amit Kumar Ojha
- Ekjut, Plot no. - 556B, Potka Chakradharpur, West Singhbhum, Pin - 833102, Jharkhand, India
| | - Audrey Prost
- UCL Institute for Global Health, UCL (University College London), 30 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Mikey Rosato
- Women and Children First (UK), United House, North Road, London, N7 9DP, UK
| | - Sanjit Kumer Shaha
- Perinatal Care Project, Diabetic Association of Bangladesh, 122 Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh
| | - Rajesh Sinha
- Ekjut, Plot no. - 556B, Potka Chakradharpur, West Singhbhum, Pin - 833102, Jharkhand, India
| | - Anthony Costello
- UCL Institute for Global Health, UCL (University College London), 30 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Jolene Skordis
- UCL Institute for Global Health, UCL (University College London), 30 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 1EH, UK
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Hellebo AG, Zuhlke LJ, Watkins DA, Alaba O. Health system costs of rheumatic heart disease care in South Africa. BMC Public Health 2021; 21:1303. [PMID: 34217236 PMCID: PMC8254987 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-11314-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) is a disease of poverty that is neglected in developing countries, including South Africa. Lack of adequate evidence regarding the cost of RHD care has hindered national and international actions to prevent RHD related deaths. The objective of this study was to estimate the cost of RHD-related health services in a tertiary hospital in the Western Cape, South Africa. METHODS The primary data on service utilisation were collected from a randomly selected sample of 100 patient medical records from the Global Rheumatic Heart Disease Registry (the REMEDY study) - a registry of individuals living with RHD. Patient-level clinical data, including, prices and quantities of medications and laboratory tests, were collected from the main tertiary hospital providing RHD care. All annual costs from a health system perspective were estimated in 2017 (base year) in South African Rand (ZAR) using a combination of ingredients and step-down costing approaches and later converted to United States dollars (USD). Step-down costing was used to estimate provider time costs and all other facility costs such as overheads. A 3% discount rate was also employed in order to allow depreciation and opportunity cost. We aggregated data to estimate the total annual costs and the average annual per-patient cost of RHD and conducted a one-way sensitivity analysis. RESULTS The estimated total cost of RHD care at the tertiary hospital was USD 2 million (in 2017 USD) for the year 2017, with surgery costs accounting for 65%. Per-patient, average annual costs were USD 3900. For the subset of costs estimated using the ingredients approach, outpatient medications, and consumables related to cardiac catheterisation and heart valve surgery were the main cost drivers. CONCLUSIONS RHD-related healthcare consumes significant tertiary hospital resources in South Africa, with annual per-patient costs higher than many other non-communicable and infectious diseases. This analysis supports the scaling up of primary and secondary prevention programmes at primary health centers in order to reduce future tertiary care costs. The study could also inform resource allocation efforts and provide cost estimates for future studies of intervention cost-effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Assegid G Hellebo
- Health Economics Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - Liesl J Zuhlke
- Division of Paediatric Cardiology, Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Groote Schuur Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - David A Watkins
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, USA.,Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Olufunke Alaba
- Health Economics Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
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23
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BOZDEMİR E, BALBAY Ö, TERZİ M, KAPLAN Z. Treatment Cost Analysis of COVID-19 Inpatients Treated At A University Hospital In Turkey. KONURALP TIP DERGISI 2021. [DOI: 10.18521/ktd.905115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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d'Elbée M, Gomez GB, Sande LA, Mwenge L, Mangenah C, Johnson C, Medley GF, Neuman M, Hatzold K, Corbett EL, Meyer-Rath G, Terris-Prestholt F. Modelling costs of community-based HIV self-testing programmes in Southern Africa at scale: an econometric cost function analysis across five countries. BMJ Glob Health 2021; 6:e005554. [PMID: 34275875 PMCID: PMC8287624 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2021-005554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Following success demonstrated with the HIV Self-Testing AfRica Initiative, HIV self-testing (HIVST) is being added to national HIV testing strategies in Southern Africa. An analysis of the costs of scaling up HIVST is needed to inform national plans, but there is a dearth of evidence on methods for forecasting costs at scale from pilot projects. Econometric cost functions (ECFs) apply statistical inference to predict costs; however, we often do not have the luxury of collecting large amounts of location-specific data. We fit an ECF to identify key drivers of costs, then use a simpler model to guide cost projections at scale. METHODS We estimated the full economic costs of community-based HIVST distribution in 92 locales across Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Lesotho between June 2016 and June 2019. We fitted a cost function with determinants related to scale, locales organisational and environmental characteristics, target populations, and per capita Growth Domestic Product (GDP). We used models differing in data intensity to predict costs at scale. We compared predicted estimates with scale-up costs in Lesotho observed over a 2-year period. RESULTS The scale of distribution, type of community-based intervention, percentage of kits distributed to men, distance from implementer's warehouse and per capita GDP predicted average costs per HIVST kit distributed. Our model simplification approach showed that a parsimonious model could predict costs without losing accuracy. Overall, ECF showed a good predictive capacity, that is, forecast costs were close to observed costs. However, at larger scale, variations of programme efficiency over time (number of kits distributed per agent monthly) could potentially influence cost predictions. DISCUSSION Our empirical cost function can inform community-based HIVST scale-up in Southern African countries. Our findings suggest that a parsimonious ECF can be used to forecast costs at scale in the context of financial planning and budgeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc d'Elbée
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Gabriela B Gomez
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Linda Alinafe Sande
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Department of HIV/AIDS & TB, Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
| | | | - Collin Mangenah
- Department of Health Economics, Centre for Sexual Health HIV/AIDS Research, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Cheryl Johnson
- Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI Programme, World Health Organisation, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Graham F Medley
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Melissa Neuman
- MRC International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Karin Hatzold
- Population Services International, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Elizabeth Lucy Corbett
- Department of HIV/AIDS & TB, Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Gesine Meyer-Rath
- Department of Internal Medicine, Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office (HE2RO) - University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Center for Global Health and Development, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Fern Terris-Prestholt
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Department of Global Health & Development, Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, Geneva, Switzerland
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25
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Singh AG, Chaukar D, Gupta S, Pramesh CS, Sullivan R, Chaturvedi P, Badwe R. A prospective study to determine the cost of illness for oral cancer in India. Ecancermedicalscience 2021; 15:1252. [PMID: 34267808 PMCID: PMC8241452 DOI: 10.3332/ecancer.2021.1252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
India accounts for almost a third of the global burden of oral cancer, a situation worsened by the inability to afford care. When available, aid is often insufficient, and costing is based on informal estimations. This study objectively determines direct healthcare costs of oral cancer in India. The study was performed from a healthcare provider's perspective using a validated bottom-up method. Care pathways were determined by prospectively observing the natural management of 100 oral cancer patients treated between October 2019 and March 2020. Specific costing categories were built across services, and apportioned values for each interaction was averaged. Costs of treatment and service utilisation were obtained using probabilistic sensitivity analyses. The unit cost of treating advanced stages (United States Dollar (USD) 2,717) was found to be 42% greater than early stages (USD1,568). There was an 11% reduction in unit costs with increases in socioeconomic status. Medical equipment accounted for 97.8% of capital costs, with the highest contributor being imaging services. Variable costs for surgery in advanced stages were 1.4 times higher than early stages. Compared to surgery alone, the average cost of treatment increased by 44.6% with adjuvant therapy. These results show that over the next decade, India will incur an economic burden of USD 3 billion towards the direct healthcare of oral cancer. Early detection and prevention strategies leading to 20% reduction in advanced stage disease could save USD 30 million annually. These results are critical to deliver a disease-driven and objective reform for oral cancer care.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sudeep Gupta
- Tata Memorial Centre and HBNI, Mumbai 400012, India
| | - C S Pramesh
- Tata Memorial Centre and HBNI, Mumbai 400012, India
| | - Richard Sullivan
- Institute of Cancer Policy, Guy’s Hospital, St Thomas Street, London SE1 9RT, UK
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26
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Phiri MD, McCann RS, Kabaghe AN, van den Berg H, Malenga T, Gowelo S, Tizifa T, Takken W, van Vugt M, Phiri KS, Terlouw DJ, Worrall E. Cost of community-led larval source management and house improvement for malaria control: a cost analysis within a cluster-randomized trial in a rural district in Malawi. Malar J 2021; 20:268. [PMID: 34120608 PMCID: PMC8200285 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-021-03800-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND House improvement (HI) to prevent mosquito house entry, and larval source management (LSM) targeting aquatic mosquito stages to prevent development into adult forms, are promising complementary interventions to current malaria vector control strategies. Lack of evidence on costs and cost-effectiveness of community-led implementation of HI and LSM has hindered wide-scale adoption. This study presents an incremental cost analysis of community-led implementation of HI and LSM, in a cluster-randomized, factorial design trial, in addition to standard national malaria control interventions in a rural area (25,000 people), in southern Malawi. METHODS In the trial, LSM comprised draining, filling, and Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis-based larviciding, while house improvement (henceforth HI) involved closing of eaves and gaps on walls, screening windows/ventilation spaces with wire mesh, and doorway modifications. Communities implemented all interventions. Costs were estimated retrospectively using the 'ingredients approach', combining 'bottom-up' and 'top-down approaches', from the societal perspective. To estimate the cost of independently implementing each intervention arm, resources shared between trial arms (e.g. overheads) were allocated to each consuming arm using proxies developed based on share of resource input quantities consumed. Incremental implementation costs (in 2017 US$) are presented for HI-only, LSM-only and HI + LSM arms. In sensitivity analyses, the effect of varying costs of important inputs on estimated costs was explored. RESULTS The total economic programme costs of community-led HI and LSM implementation was $626,152. Incremental economic implementation costs of HI, LSM and HI + LSM were estimated as $27.04, $25.06 and $33.44, per person per year, respectively. Project staff, transport and labour costs, but not larvicide or screening material, were the major cost drivers across all interventions. Costs were sensitive to changes in staff costs and population covered. CONCLUSIONS In the trial, the incremental economic costs of community-led HI and LSM implementation were high compared to previous house improvement and LSM studies. Several factors, including intervention design, year-round LSM implementation and low human population density could explain the high costs. The factorial trial design necessitated use of proxies to allocate costs shared between trial arms, which limits generalizability where different designs are used. Nevertheless, costs may inform planners of similar intervention packages where cost-effectiveness is known. Trial registration Not applicable. The original trial was registered with The Pan African Clinical Trials Registry on 3 March 2016, trial number PACTR201604001501493.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mphatso Dennis Phiri
- Malaria Epidemiology Group, Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi.
| | - Robert S McCann
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- School of Public Health and Family Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Malawi, Blantyre, Malawi
- Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Alinune Nathanael Kabaghe
- School of Public Health and Family Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Malawi, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Henk van den Berg
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Tumaini Malenga
- School of Public Health and Family Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Malawi, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Steven Gowelo
- School of Public Health and Family Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Malawi, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Tinashe Tizifa
- School of Public Health and Family Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Malawi, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Willem Takken
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Michèle van Vugt
- Center for Tropical Medicine and Travel Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Division of Internal Medicine, Amsterdam-UMC, Location AMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Kamija S Phiri
- School of Public Health and Family Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Malawi, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Dianne J Terlouw
- Malaria Epidemiology Group, Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Eve Worrall
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
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d'Elbée M, Traore MM, Badiane K, Vautier A, Simo Fotso A, Kabemba OK, Rouveau N, Godfrey-Faussett P, Maheu-Giroux M, Boily MC, Medley GF, Larmarange J, Terris-Prestholt F. Costs and Scale-Up Costs of Integrating HIV Self-Testing Into Civil Society Organisation-Led Programmes for Key Populations in Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, and Mali. Front Public Health 2021; 9:653612. [PMID: 34109146 PMCID: PMC8182047 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.653612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite significant progress on the proportion of individuals who know their HIV status in 2020, Côte d'Ivoire (76%), Senegal (78%), and Mali (48%) remain far below, and key populations (KP) including female sex workers (FSW), men who have sex with men (MSM), and people who use drugs (PWUD) are the most vulnerable groups with a HIV prevalence at 5-30%. HIV self-testing (HIVST), a process where a person collects his/her own specimen, performs a test, and interprets the result, was introduced in 2019 as a new testing modality through the ATLAS project coordinated by the international partner organisation Solthis (IPO). We estimate the costs of implementing HIVST through 23 civil society organisations (CSO)-led models for KP in Côte d'Ivoire (N = 7), Senegal (N = 11), and Mali (N = 5). We modelled costs for programme transition (2021) and early scale-up (2022-2023). Between July 2019 and September 2020, a total of 51,028, 14,472, and 34,353 HIVST kits were distributed in Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, and Mali, respectively. Across countries, 64-80% of HIVST kits were distributed to FSW, 20-31% to MSM, and 5-8% to PWUD. Average costs per HIVST kit distributed were $15 for FSW (Côte d'Ivoire: $13, Senegal: $17, Mali: $16), $23 for MSM (Côte d'Ivoire: $15, Senegal: $27, Mali: $28), and $80 for PWUD (Côte d'Ivoire: $16, Senegal: $144), driven by personnel costs (47-78% of total costs), and HIVST kits costs (2-20%). Average costs at scale-up were $11 for FSW (Côte d'Ivoire: $9, Senegal: $13, Mali: $10), $16 for MSM (Côte d'Ivoire: $9, Senegal: $23, Mali: $17), and $32 for PWUD (Côte d'Ivoire: $14, Senegal: $50). Cost reductions were mainly explained by the spreading of IPO costs over higher HIVST distribution volumes and progressive IPO withdrawal at scale-up. In all countries, CSO-led HIVST kit provision to KP showed relatively high costs during the study period related to the progressive integration of the programme to CSO activities and contextual challenges (COVID-19 pandemic, country safety concerns). In transition to scale-up and integration of the HIVST programme into CSO activities, this model shows large potential for substantial economies of scale. Further research will assess the overall cost-effectiveness of this model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc d'Elbée
- Department of Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | - Arlette Simo Fotso
- Centre Population et Développement (Ceped UMR 196), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Université de Paris, Inserm (ERL 1244), Paris, France
| | | | - Nicolas Rouveau
- Centre Population et Développement (Ceped UMR 196), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Université de Paris, Inserm (ERL 1244), Paris, France
| | - Peter Godfrey-Faussett
- Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), Geneva, Switzerland
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mathieu Maheu-Giroux
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, School of Population and Global Health, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Marie-Claude Boily
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Medical Research Council Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Graham Francis Medley
- Department of Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Joseph Larmarange
- Centre Population et Développement (Ceped UMR 196), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Université de Paris, Inserm (ERL 1244), Paris, France
| | - Fern Terris-Prestholt
- Department of Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), Geneva, Switzerland
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Foster N, Cunnama L, McCarthy K, Ramma L, Siapka M, Sinanovic E, Churchyard G, Fielding K, Grant AD, Cleary S. Strengthening health systems to improve the value of tuberculosis diagnostics in South Africa: A cost and cost-effectiveness analysis. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0251547. [PMID: 33989317 PMCID: PMC8121360 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0251547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In South Africa, replacing smear microscopy with Xpert-MTB/RIF (Xpert) for tuberculosis diagnosis did not reduce mortality and was cost-neutral. The unchanged mortality has been attributed to suboptimal Xpert implementation. We developed a mathematical model to explore how complementary investments may improve cost-effectiveness of the tuberculosis diagnostic algorithm. METHODS Complementary investments in the tuberculosis diagnostic pathway were compared to the status quo. Investment scenarios following an initial Xpert test included actions to reduce pre-treatment loss-to-follow-up; supporting same-day clinical diagnosis of tuberculosis after a negative result; and improving access to further tuberculosis diagnostic tests following a negative result. We estimated costs, deaths and disability-adjusted-life-years (DALYs) averted from provider and societal perspectives. Sensitivity analyses explored the mediating influence of behavioural, disease- and organisational characteristics on investment effectiveness. FINDINGS Among a cohort of symptomatic patients tested for tuberculosis, with an estimated active tuberculosis prevalence of 13%, reducing pre-treatment loss-to-follow-up from ~20% to ~0% led to a 4% (uncertainty interval [UI] 3; 4%) reduction in mortality compared to the Xpert scenario. Improving access to further tuberculosis diagnostic tests from ~4% to 90% among those with an initial negative Xpert result reduced overall mortality by 28% (UI 27; 28) at $39.70/ DALY averted. Effectiveness of investment scenarios to improve access to further diagnostic tests was dependent on a high return rate for follow-up visits. INTERPRETATION Investing in direct and indirect costs to support the TB diagnostic pathway is potentially highly cost-effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Foster
- Health Economics Unit, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Division of Health Research, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Lucy Cunnama
- Health Economics Unit, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Kerrigan McCarthy
- Division of Public Health, Surveillance and Response, National Institute for Communicable Disease of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Lebogang Ramma
- Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Mariana Siapka
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Edina Sinanovic
- Health Economics Unit, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Gavin Churchyard
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Katherine Fielding
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Alison D. Grant
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Africa Health Research Institute, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Susan Cleary
- Health Economics Unit, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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Smith S, Jiang J, Normand C, O’Neill C. Unit costs for non-acute care in Ireland 2016—2019. HRB Open Res 2021; 4:39. [PMID: 35317302 PMCID: PMC8917322 DOI: 10.12688/hrbopenres.13256.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: This paper presents detailed unit costs for 16 healthcare professionals in community-based non-acute services in Ireland for the years 2016—2019. Unit costs are important data inputs for assessments of health service performance and value for money. Internationally, while some countries have an established database of unit costs for healthcare, there is need for a more coordinated approach to calculating healthcare unit costs. In Ireland, detailed cost analysis of acute care is undertaken by the Healthcare Pricing Office but to date there has been no central database of unit costs for community-based non-acute healthcare services. Methods: Unit costs for publicly employed allied healthcare professionals, Public Health Nurses and Health Care Assistant staff are calculated using a bottom-up micro-costing approach, drawing on methods outlined by the Personal Social Services Research Unit in the UK, and on available Irish and international costing guidelines. Data on salaries, working hours and other parameters are drawn from secondary datasets available from Department of Health, Health Service Executive and other public sources. Unit costs for public and private General Practitioner, dental, and long-term residential care (LTRC) are estimated drawing on available administrative and survey data. Results: The unit costs for the publicly employed non-acute healthcare professionals have changed by 2–6% over the timeframe 2016–2019 while larger percentage changes are observed in the unit costs for public GP visits and public LTRC (14-15%). Conclusions: The costs presented here are a first step towards establishing a central database of unit costs for non-acute healthcare services in Ireland. The database will help ensure consistency across Irish health costing studies and facilitate cross-study and cross-country comparisons. Future work will be required to update and expand on the range of services covered and to incorporate new data and methodological developments in cost estimation as they become available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Smith
- Centre for Health Policy and Management, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Jingjing Jiang
- Centre for Health Policy and Management, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Charles Normand
- Centre for Health Policy and Management, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Cicely Saunders Institute, London, SE5 9PJ, UK
| | - Ciaran O’Neill
- Centre for Public Health, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, BT12 6BA, Ireland
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Jędrzejczak J, Majkowska-Zwolińska B, Chudzicka-Bator A, Żerda I, Władysiuk M, Godman B. Economic and social cost of epilepsy in Poland: 5-year analysis. THE EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HEALTH ECONOMICS : HEPAC : HEALTH ECONOMICS IN PREVENTION AND CARE 2021; 22:485-497. [PMID: 33582892 DOI: 10.1007/s10198-021-01269-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Epilepsy affects nearly 50 million people around the world. As a common and chronic disease generates a high cost burden for healthcare system and patients. AIM We aimed to determine the most current direct and indirect costs of epilepsy in Poland from the social perspective for the years 2014-2018, to analyze the changes of expenditures over time, indicate trends and to determine key cost-drivers. MATERIAL AND METHODS Direct and indirect costs using a top-down approach were estimated based on the public institutions' data for the ICD-10 codes G40 and G41. Direct costs included pharmacotherapy, hospitalizations, outpatient specialist care and rehabilitation. A human capital approach was used to estimate loss of productivity due to sick leaves and long-term inability to work. RESULTS Annual total direct and indirect costs related to epilepsy accounted for EUR 410 million in 2014 and decreased in subsequent years to EUR 361 million in 2018. The indirect costs were dominant (76-83% of total costs) and in the majority related to the long-term absenteeism (87-92% of total indirect costs). In 2014-2018, patients with epilepsy generated EUR 341 million to EUR 282 million of indirect costs. Annual direct costs for patients with epilepsy were EUR 69 million in 2014 and increased to EUR 80 million in 2018. The biggest expenses were the costs of drugs (> 50%) and hospitalizations (~ 40%). CONCLUSIONS Epilepsy is an expensive disorder in terms of consumption of resources and social costs. Decision-makers should take it under special consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Jędrzejczak
- Department of Neurology and Epileptology, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, Warsaw, Poland
- Epilepsy Diagnostic and Therapeutic Centre of Epilepsy Foundation of Epileptology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Beata Majkowska-Zwolińska
- Epilepsy Diagnostic and Therapeutic Centre of Epilepsy Foundation of Epileptology, Warsaw, Poland
- Łazarski University, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Iwona Żerda
- HTA Consulting sp. z o.o. sp. k, Krakow, Poland
| | | | - Brian Godman
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Strathclyde University, Glasgow, G4 ORE, UK
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, 141 86, Stockholm, Sweden
- Health Economics Centre, Liverpool University Management School, Chatham Street, Liverpool, UK
- School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa
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Hailu A, Eregata GT, Stenberg K, Norheim OF. Is Universal Health Coverage Affordable? Estimated Costs and Fiscal Space Analysis for the Ethiopian Essential Health Services Package. Health Syst Reform 2021; 7:e1870061. [PMID: 33739233 DOI: 10.1080/23288604.2020.1870061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Estimating the required resources for implementing an essential health services package (EHSP) is vital to examine its feasibility and affordability. This study aimed to estimate the financial resources required to implement the Ethiopian EHSP from 2020 to 2030. Furthermore, we explored potential alternatives to increase the fiscal space for health in Ethiopia. We used the OneHealth Tool (OHT) to estimate the costs of expanding the EHSP service provision in the public sector in Ethiopia. Combinations of ingredient-based bottom-up and program-based summary costing approaches were applied. We predicted the fiscal space using assumptions for economic growth, government resource allocations to health, external aid for health, the magnitude of out-of-pocket expenditure, and other private health expenditures as critical factors affecting available resources devoted to health. All costs were valued using 2020 US dollars (USD). To implement the EHSP, 13.0 billion USD (per capita: 94 USD) would be required in 2030. The largest (50-70%) share of estimated costs was for medicines, commodities, and supplies, followed by human resources costs (10-17%). However, the expected available resources based on a business-as-usual fiscal space estimate would be 63 USD per capita for the same year. Therefore, the gap as a percentage of the required resources would be 33% in 2030. The resources needed to implement the EHSP would increase steadily over the projection period due mainly to increases in service coverage targets over time. Allocating gains from economic growth to increase the total government health expenditure could partly address the gap.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alemayehu Hailu
- Bergen Centre for Ethics and Priority Setting, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Ministry of Health of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Getachew Teshome Eregata
- Bergen Centre for Ethics and Priority Setting, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Ministry of Health of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Karin Stenberg
- Department of Health Systems Governance and Financing, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.,Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ole Frithjof Norheim
- Bergen Centre for Ethics and Priority Setting, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Harvard T.H.Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, USA
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Werner K, Lin TK, Risko N, Osiro M, Kalanzi J, Wallis L. The costs of delivering emergency care at regional referral hospitals in Uganda: a micro-costing study. BMC Health Serv Res 2021; 21:232. [PMID: 33726738 PMCID: PMC7961167 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-021-06197-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Uganda experiences a high morbidity and mortality burden due to conditions amenable to emergency care, yet few public hospitals have dedicated emergency units. As a result, little is known about the costs and effects of delivering lifesaving emergency care, hindering health systems planning, budgeting and prioritization exercises. To determine healthcare costs of emergency care services at public facilities in Uganda, we estimate the median cost of care for five sentinel conditions and 13 interventions. METHODS A direct, activity-based costing was carried out at five regional referral hospitals over a four-week period from September to October 2019. Hospital costs were determined using bottom-up micro-costing methodology from a provider perspective. Resource use was enumerated via observation and unit costs were derived from National Medical Stores lists. Cost per condition per patient and measures of central tendency for conditions and interventions were calculated. Kruskal-Wallis H-tests and Nemyeni post-hoc tests were conducted to determine significant differences between costs of the conditions. RESULTS Eight hundred seventy-two patient cases were captured with an overall median cost of care of $15.53 USD ($14.44 to $19.22). The median cost per condition was highest for post-partum haemorrhage at $17.25 ($15.02 to $21.36), followed by road traffic injuries at $15.96 ($14.51 to $20.30), asthma at $15.90 ($14.76 to $19.30), pneumonia at $15.55 ($14.65 to $20.12), and paediatric diarrhoea at $14.61 ($13.74 to $15.57). The median cost per intervention was highest for fracture reduction and splinting at $27.77 ($22.00 to $31.50). Cost values differ between sentinel conditions (p < 0.05) with treatments for paediatric diarrhoea having the lowest median cost of all conditions (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION This study is the first to describe the direct costs of emergency care in hospitals in Uganda by observing the delivery of clinical services, using robust activity-based costing and time motion methodology. We find that emergency care interventions for key drivers of morbidity and mortality can be delivered at considerably lower costs than many priority health interventions. Further research assessing acute care delivery would be useful in planning wider health care delivery systems development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kalin Werner
- Division of Emergency Medicine, University of Cape, Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - Tracy Kuo Lin
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Institute for Health & Aging, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Nicholas Risko
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Martha Osiro
- Division of Emergency Medicine, University of Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | - Lee Wallis
- Division of Emergency Medicine, University of Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
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Sohn H, Sweeney S, Mudzengi D, Creswell J, Menzies NA, Fox GJ, MacPherson P, Dowdy DW. Determining the value of TB active case-finding: current evidence and methodological considerations. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis 2021; 25:171-181. [PMID: 33688805 PMCID: PMC8647907 DOI: 10.5588/ijtld.20.0565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Active case-finding (ACF) is an important component of the End TB Strategy. However, ACF is resource-intensive, and the economics of ACF are not well-understood. Data on the costs of ACF are limited, with little consistency in the units and methods used to estimate and report costs. Mathematical models to forecast the long-term effects of ACF require empirical measurements of the yield, timing and costs of case detection. Pragmatic trials offer an opportunity to assess the cost-effectiveness of ACF interventions within a 'real-world´ context. However, such analyses generally require early introduction of economic evaluations to enable prospective data collection on resource requirements. Closing the global case-detection gap will require substantial additional resources, including continued investment in innovative technologies. Research is essential to the optimal implementation, cost-effectiveness, and affordability of ACF in high-burden settings. To assess the value of ACF, we must prioritize the collection of high-quality data regarding costs and effectiveness, and link those data to analytical models that are adapted to local settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Sohn
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - S Sweeney
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - D Mudzengi
- The Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - J Creswell
- The Stop TB Partnership, UNOPS, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - N A Menzies
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T H Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - G J Fox
- Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, Glebe, NSW, Australia
| | - P MacPherson
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK, Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Malawi, Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - D W Dowdy
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Bath D, Cook J, Govere J, Mathebula P, Morris N, Hlongwana K, Raman J, Seocharan I, Zitha A, Zitha M, Mabuza A, Mbokazi F, Machaba E, Mabunda E, Jamesboy E, Biggs J, Drakeley C, Moonasar D, Maharaj R, Coetzee M, Pitt C, Kleinschmidt I. Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of reactive, targeted indoor residual spraying for malaria control in low-transmission settings: a cluster-randomised, non-inferiority trial in South Africa. Lancet 2021; 397:816-827. [PMID: 33640068 PMCID: PMC7910276 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(21)00251-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increasing insecticide costs and constrained malaria budgets could make universal vector control strategies, such as indoor residual spraying (IRS), unsustainable in low-transmission settings. We investigated the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a reactive, targeted IRS strategy. METHODS This cluster-randomised, open-label, non-inferiority trial compared reactive, targeted IRS with standard IRS practice in northeastern South Africa over two malaria seasons (2015-17). In standard IRS clusters, programme managers conducted annual mass spray campaigns prioritising areas using historical data, expert opinion, and other factors. In targeted IRS clusters, only houses of index cases (identified through passive surveillance) and their immediate neighbours were sprayed. The non-inferiority margin was 1 case per 1000 person-years. Health service costs of real-world implementation were modelled from primary and secondary data. Incremental costs per disability-adjusted life-year (DALY) were estimated and deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses conducted. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02556242. FINDINGS Malaria incidence was 0·95 per 1000 person-years (95% CI 0·58 to 1·32) in the standard IRS group and 1·05 per 1000 person-years (0·72 to 1·38) in the targeted IRS group, corresponding to a rate difference of 0·10 per 1000 person-years (-0·38 to 0·59), demonstrating non-inferiority for targeted IRS (p<0·0001). Per additional DALY incurred, targeted IRS saved US$7845 (2902 to 64 907), giving a 94-98% probability that switching to targeted IRS would be cost-effective relative to plausible cost-effectiveness thresholds for South Africa ($2637 to $3557 per DALY averted). Depending on the threshold used, targeted IRS would remain cost-effective at incidences of less than 2·0-2·7 per 1000 person-years. Findings were robust to plausible variation in other parameters. INTERPRETATION Targeted IRS was non-inferior, safe, less costly, and cost-effective compared with standard IRS in this very-low-transmission setting. Saved resources could be reallocated to other malaria control and elimination activities. FUNDING Joint Global Health Trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Bath
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK; Department of Health Services Research and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
| | - Jackie Cook
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - John Govere
- Wits Research Institute for Malaria, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Phillemon Mathebula
- Wits Research Institute for Malaria, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Natashia Morris
- Health GIS Centre, South African Medical Research Council, Durban, South Africa
| | - Khumbulani Hlongwana
- School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Jaishree Raman
- Wits Research Institute for Malaria, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; Centre for Emerging, Zoonotic and Parasitic Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa; Institute for Sustainable Malaria Control, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Ishen Seocharan
- Biostatistics Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Durban, South Africa
| | - Alpheus Zitha
- Mpumalanga Provincial Malaria Control Programme, Nelspruit, South Africa
| | - Matimba Zitha
- Wits Research Institute for Malaria, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Aaron Mabuza
- Mpumalanga Provincial Malaria Control Programme, Nelspruit, South Africa
| | - Frans Mbokazi
- Mpumalanga Provincial Malaria Control Programme, Nelspruit, South Africa
| | - Elliot Machaba
- Limpopo Provincial Malaria Control Programme, Polokwane, South Africa
| | - Erik Mabunda
- Limpopo Provincial Malaria Control Programme, Polokwane, South Africa
| | - Eunice Jamesboy
- Wits Research Institute for Malaria, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; Centre for Emerging, Zoonotic and Parasitic Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Joseph Biggs
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Chris Drakeley
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Devanand Moonasar
- School of Health Systems and Public Health, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa; South Africa National Malaria Programme, National Department of Health, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Rajendra Maharaj
- Office of Malaria Research, South African Medical Research Council, Durban, South Africa; Institute for Sustainable Malaria Control, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Maureen Coetzee
- Wits Research Institute for Malaria, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; Centre for Emerging, Zoonotic and Parasitic Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Catherine Pitt
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Immo Kleinschmidt
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK; Wits Research Institute for Malaria, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; Southern African Development Community Malaria Elimination Eight Secretariat, Windhoek, Namibia
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Assebe LF, Belete WN, Alemayehu S, Asfaw E, Godana KT, Alemayehu YK, Teklu AM, Yigezu A. Economic evaluation of Health Extension Program packages in Ethiopia. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0246207. [PMID: 33529225 PMCID: PMC7853458 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0246207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ethiopia launched the Health Extension Program (HEP) in 2004, aimed at ensuring equitable community-level healthcare services through Health Extension Workers. Despite the program's being a flagship initiative, there is limited evidence on whether investment in the program represents good value for money. This study assessed the cost and cost-effectiveness of HEP interventions to inform policy decisions for resource allocation and priority setting in Ethiopia. METHODS Twenty-one health care interventions were selected under the hygiene and sanitation, family health services, and disease prevention and control sub-domains. The ingredient bottom-up and top-down costing method was employed. Cost and cost-effectiveness were assessed from the provider perspective. Health outcomes were measured using life years gained (LYG). Incremental cost per LYG in relation to the gross domestic product (GDP) per capita of Ethiopia (US$852.80) was used to ascertain the cost-effectiveness. All costs were collected in Ethiopian birr and converted to United States dollars (US$) using the average exchange rate for 2018 (US$1 = 27.67 birr). Both costs and health outcomes were discounted by 3%. RESULT The average unit cost of providing selected hygiene and sanitation, family health, and disease prevention and control services with the HEP was US$0.70, US$4.90, and US$7.40, respectively. The major cost driver was drugs and supplies, accounting for 53% and 68%, respectively, of the total cost. The average annual cost of delivering all the selected interventions was US$9,897. All interventions fall within 1 times GDP per capita per LYG, indicating that they are very cost-effective (ranges: US$22-$295 per LYG). Overall, the HEP is cost-effective by investing US$77.40 for every LYG. CONCLUSION The unit cost estimates of HEP interventions are crucial for priority-setting, resource mobilization, and program planning. This study found that the program is very cost-effective in delivering community health services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lelisa Fekadu Assebe
- Federal Ministry of Health, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- MERQ Consultancy PLC, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Wondesen Nigatu Belete
- Federal Ministry of Health, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- MERQ Consultancy PLC, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Senait Alemayehu
- MERQ Consultancy PLC, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Elias Asfaw
- MERQ Consultancy PLC, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- EAZ Consultancy and Research Service, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Kora Tushune Godana
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Yibeltal Kiflie Alemayehu
- MERQ Consultancy PLC, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
- Department of Global Community Health and Behavioral Sciences, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, United States of America
| | | | - Amanuel Yigezu
- MERQ Consultancy PLC, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Ssebagereka A, Apolot RR, Nyachwo EB, Ekirapa-Kiracho E. Estimating the cost of implementing a facility and community score card for maternal and newborn care service delivery in a rural district in Uganda. Int J Equity Health 2021; 20:2. [PMID: 33386074 PMCID: PMC7777411 DOI: 10.1186/s12939-020-01335-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION This paper aimed at estimating the resources required to implement a community Score Card by a typical rural district health team in Uganda, as a mechanism for fostering accountability, utilization and quality of maternal and child healthcare service. METHODS This costing analysis was done from the payer's perspective using the ingredients approach over five quarterly rounds of scoring between 2017 and 2018. Expenditure data was obtained from project records, entered and analyzed in Microsoft excel. Two scale-up scenarios, scenario one (considered cost inputs by the MakSPH research teams) and scenario two (considering cost inputs based on contextual knowledge from district implementing teams), were simulated to better understand the cost implications of integrating the Community Score Card (CSC) into a district health system. RESULTS The total and average cost of implementing CSC for five quarterly rounds over a period of 18 months were USD 59,962 and USD 11,992 per round of scoring, respectively. Considering the six sub-counties (including one Town Council) in Kibuku district that were included in this analysis, the average cost of implementating the CSC in each sub-county was USD 1998 per scoring round. Scaling-up of the intervention across the entire district (included 22 sub-counties) under the first scenario would cost a total of USD 19,003 per scoring round. Under the second scaleup scenario, the cost would be lower at USD 7116. The total annual cost of scaling CSC in the entire district would be USD 76,012 under scenario one compared to USD 28,465 under scenario two. The main cost drivers identified were transportation costs, coordination and supervision costs, and technical support to supplement local implementers. CONCLUSION Our analysis suggests that it is financially feasible to implement and scale-up the CSC initiative, as an accountability tool for enhancing service delivery. However, the CSC design and approach needs to be embedded within local systems and implemented in collaboration with existing stakeholders so as to optimise costs. A comprehensive economic analysis of the costs associated with transportation, involvement of the district teams in coordination, supervision as well as provision of technical support is necessary to determine the cost-effectiveness of the CSC approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Ssebagereka
- Department of Health Policy, Planning, and Management, Makerere University School of Public Health, New Mulago Hospital Complex, P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Rebecca Racheal Apolot
- Department of Health Policy, Planning, and Management, Makerere University School of Public Health, New Mulago Hospital Complex, P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Evelyne Baelvina Nyachwo
- Department of Health Policy, Planning, and Management, Makerere University School of Public Health, New Mulago Hospital Complex, P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Elizabeth Ekirapa-Kiracho
- Department of Health Policy, Planning, and Management, Makerere University School of Public Health, New Mulago Hospital Complex, P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
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Gomez GB, Mudzengi DL, Bozzani F, Menzies NA, Vassall A. Estimating Cost Functions for Resource Allocation Using Transmission Models: A Case Study of Tuberculosis Case Finding in South Africa. VALUE IN HEALTH : THE JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR PHARMACOECONOMICS AND OUTCOMES RESEARCH 2020; 23:1606-1612. [PMID: 33248516 DOI: 10.1016/j.jval.2020.08.2096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2020] [Revised: 08/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Cost functions linked to transmission dynamic models are commonly used to estimate the resources required for infectious disease policies. We present a conceptual and empirical approach for estimating these functions, allowing for nonconstant marginal costs. We aim to expand on the current approach which commonly assumes linearity of cost over scale. METHODS We propose a theoretical framework adapted from the field of transport economics. We specify joint functions of production of services within a disease-specific program. We expand these functions to include qualitative insights of program expansion patterns. We present the difference in incremental total costs between an approach assuming constant unit costs and alternative approaches that assume economies of scale, scope and homogeneous or heterogeneous facility recruitment into the programme during scale-up. We illustrate the framework's application in tuberculosis, using secondary data from the literature and routine reporting systems in South Africa. RESULTS Economies of capacity and scope substantially change cost estimates over time. Cost data requirements for the proposed approach included standardized and disaggregated unit costs (for a limited number of outputs) and information on the facilities network available to the program. CONCLUSIONS The defined functional form will determine the magnitude and shape of costs when outputs and coverage are increasing. This in turn will impact resource allocation decisions. Infectious diseases modelers and economists should use transparent and empirically based cost models for analyses that inform resource allocation decisions. This framework describes a general approach for developing these models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela B Gomez
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
| | | | - Fiammetta Bozzani
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Nicholas A Menzies
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T H Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Center for Health Decision Science, Harvard T H Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Anna Vassall
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study estimates the costs of community-based HIV testing services (HTS) in Lesotho and assesses the potential efficiency gains achieved by adding HIV self-testing (HIVST) and then self-testing booths. DESIGN Micro-costing analysis using longitudinal data from a real-world intervention. METHODS We collected data prospectively on provider's costs and programmatic outcomes over three time periods of approximately 8 months each, between May 2017 and April 2019. The scope of services was extended during each period as follows: HTS only, HTS and HIVST, HTS and HIVST with individual HIVST booths wherein clients were encouraged to self-test on-site followed by on-site confirmative testing for those with reactive self-test. For each implementation period, we estimated the full financial and economic implementation costs, the incremental costs of adding HIVST onto conventional HTS and the cost per HIV positive case identified. RESULTS Costs per HIV-positive case identified increased between period 1 (US$956) and period 2 (US$1249) then dropped in period 3 (US$813). Full versus incremental cost analyses resulted in large differences in the magnitude of costs, attributable to methods rather than resource use: for example, in period 3, the average full and incremental cost estimates for HTS were US$34.3 and US$23.5 per person tested, and for HIVST were US$37.7 and US$14.0 per kit provided, respectively. CONCLUSION In Lesotho, adding HIVST to community-based HTS improves its overall affordability for HIV-positive case finding. The reporting of both full and incremental cost estimates increase transparency for use in priority setting, budgeting and financial planning for scale-up.
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Bozzani FM, Sumner T, Mudzengi D, Gomez GB, White R, Vassall A. Informing Balanced Investment in Services and Health Systems: A Case Study of Priority Setting for Tuberculosis Interventions in South Africa. VALUE IN HEALTH : THE JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR PHARMACOECONOMICS AND OUTCOMES RESEARCH 2020; 23:1462-1469. [PMID: 33127017 PMCID: PMC7640941 DOI: 10.1016/j.jval.2020.05.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Revised: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/10/2020] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Health systems face nonfinancial constraints that can influence the opportunity cost of interventions. Empirical methods to explore their impact, however, are underdeveloped. We develop a conceptual framework for defining health system constraints and empirical estimation methods that rely on routine data. We then present an empirical approach for incorporating nonfinancial constraints in cost-effectiveness models of health benefit packages for the health sector. METHODS We illustrate the application of this approach through a case study of defining a package of services for tuberculosis case-finding in South Africa. An economic model combining transmission model outputs with unit costs was developed to examine the cost-effectiveness of alternative screening and diagnostic algorithms. Constraints were operationalized as restrictions on achievable coverage based on: (1) financial resources; (2) human resources; and (3) policy constraints around diagnostics purchasing. Cost-effectiveness of the interventions was assessed under one "unconstrained" and several "constrained" scenarios. For the unconstrained scenario, incremental cost-effectiveness ratios were estimated with and without the costs of "relaxing" constraints. RESULTS We find substantial differences in incremental cost-effectiveness ratios across scenarios, leading to variations in the decision rules for prioritizing interventions. In constrained scenarios, the limiting factor for most interventions was not financial, but rather the availability of human resources. CONCLUSIONS We find that optimal prioritization among different tuberculosis control strategies in South Africa is influenced by whether and how constraints are taken into consideration. We thus demonstrate both the importance and feasibility of considering nonfinancial constraints in health sector resource allocation models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiammetta M Bozzani
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, England, UK.
| | - Tom Sumner
- TB Modelling Group, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, England, UK
| | | | - Gabriela B Gomez
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, England, UK
| | - Richard White
- TB Modelling Group, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, England, UK
| | - Anna Vassall
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, England, UK; Sanofi Pasteur SA, Vaccine Epidemiology and Modelling, Lyon, France
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Cunnama L, Abrams EJ, Myer L, Phillips TK, Dugdale CM, Ciaranello AL, Zerbe A, Iyun V, MacQuilkan K, Daries V, Sinanovic E. Provider- and patient-level costs associated with providing antiretroviral therapy during the postpartum phase to women living with HIV in South Africa: A cost comparison of three postpartum models of care. Trop Med Int Health 2020; 25:1553-1567. [PMID: 32959434 PMCID: PMC7756215 DOI: 10.1111/tmi.13493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare the unit and total costs of three models of ART care for mother-infant pairs during the postpartum phase from provider and patient's perspectives: (i) local standard of care with women in general ART services and infants at well-baby clinics; (ii) women and infants continue to receive care through an integrated maternal and child care approach during the postpartum breastfeeding period; and (iii) referral of women directly to community adherence clubs with their infants receiving care at well-baby clinics. METHODS Capital and recurrent cost data (relating to buildings, furniture, equipment, personnel, overheads, maintenance, medication, diagnostic tests and immunisations) were collected from a provider's perspective at six sites in Cape Town, South Africa. Patient time, collected via time-and-motion observation and questionnaires, was used to estimate patient perspective costs and is comprised of lost productivity time, time spent travelling and the direct cost of travelling. RESULTS The cost of postpartum ART visits under models I, II and III was US $13, US $10 and US $7 per visit for a mother-infant pair, respectively, in 2018 US$. The annual costs for the mother-infant pair utilising the average visit frequencies (a mean of 4.5, 6.9 and 6.7 visits postpartum for models I, II and III, respectively) including costs for infant immunisations, visits, medication and diagnostic tests for both mothers and infants were: I - US $222, II - US $335 and III - US $249. Sensitivity analysis to assess the impact of visit frequency on visit cost showed that Model I annual costs would be most costly if visit frequency was equalised. CONCLUSION This comparative analysis of three models of care provides novel data on unit costs and insight into the costs to provide ART and care to mother-infant pairs during the delicate postpartum phase. These costs may be used to help make decisions around integrated services models and differentiated service delivery for postpartum WLH and their children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy Cunnama
- Health Economics Unit, School of Public Health & Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Elaine J Abrams
- ICAP at Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, USA
| | - Landon Myer
- Division of Epidemiology & Biostatistics and Centre for Infectious Diseases Epidemiology & Research, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Tamsin K Phillips
- Division of Epidemiology & Biostatistics and Centre for Infectious Diseases Epidemiology & Research, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Caitlin M Dugdale
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Medical Practice Evaluation Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA
| | - Andrea L Ciaranello
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Medical Practice Evaluation Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA
| | - Allison Zerbe
- ICAP at Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, USA
| | - Victoria Iyun
- Division of Epidemiology & Biostatistics and Centre for Infectious Diseases Epidemiology & Research, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Kim MacQuilkan
- Health Economics Unit, School of Public Health & Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Vanessa Daries
- Health Economics Unit, School of Public Health & Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Edina Sinanovic
- Health Economics Unit, School of Public Health & Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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Salari P, Fürst T, Knopp S, Rollinson D, Kabole F, Khamis MI, Omar MA, Bacon O, Ali SM, Utzinger J, Tediosi F. Financial Costs of the Zanzibar Elimination of Schistosomiasis Transmission Project. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2020; 103:2260-2267. [PMID: 32996446 PMCID: PMC7695112 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.20-0252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
We estimated the financial costs of different interventions against urogenital schistosomiasis, implemented by the Zanzibar Elimination of Schistosomiasis Transmission (ZEST) project, on Pemba and Unguja islands, Tanzania. We used available data on project activities, resources used, and costs reported in the accounting information systems of ZEST partners. The costs were estimated for all the activities related to snail control, behavior change interventions, the impact assessment surveys, and management of the whole program. Costs are presented in US$ for the full duration of the ZEST project from 2011/2012 to 2017. The total financial costs of implementing snail control activities over 5 years, excluding the costs for donated Bayluscide, were US$55,796 on Pemba and US$73,581 on Unguja, mainly driven by personnel costs. The total financial costs of implementing behavior change activities were US$109,165 on Pemba and US$155,828 on Unguja, with costs for personnel accounting for 47% on Pemba and 69% on Unguja. Costs of implementing biannual mass drug administration refer to the estimated 2.4 million treatments provided on Pemba over 4 years (2013–2016), and do not include the costs of donated praziquantel. The total cost per provided treatment was, on average, US$0.21. This study showed the value of exploiting administrative data to estimate costs of major global health interventions. It also provides an evidence base for financial costs and main cost drivers of implementing multiple combinations of intervention sets that inform decisions regarding the feasibility and affordability of implementing schistosomiasis control and elimination strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Salari
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Fürst
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Stefanie Knopp
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Fatma Kabole
- Neglected Diseases Program, Zanzibar Ministry of Health, Zanzibar, Tanzania
| | - Mohammed I Khamis
- Neglected Diseases Program, Zanzibar Ministry of Health, Zanzibar, Tanzania
| | - Mussa A Omar
- Public Health Laboratory-Ivo de Carneri, Chake Chake, Tanzania
| | | | - Said M Ali
- Public Health Laboratory-Ivo de Carneri, Chake Chake, Tanzania
| | - Jürg Utzinger
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Fabrizio Tediosi
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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Comans T, Nguyen KH, Stafford-Bell F, Agar M. Cost comparison of different models of palliative care delivery. Australas J Ageing 2020; 40:90-93. [PMID: 32965056 DOI: 10.1111/ajag.12843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2019] [Revised: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this project was to assess the value for money of a modified unit within a residential aged care facility (RACF) for people requiring palliative care at the end of life. METHODS A three-way comparison using a mixed-method costing was used to estimate the per day cost of the unit compared to care in a palliative care unit within a hospital and a standard RACF bed. RESULTS The cost of the unit was estimated at $242 per day (2015 Australian dollars). The palliative care hospital bed cost $1,664 per day. The cost of a standard RACF bed was $123 per day, indicating that an additional $120 per day is required to provide the higher level of care required by people with complex palliative care needs. CONCLUSION A modified RACF unit could provide substantial cost savings to the health budget for selected complex palliative care patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tracy Comans
- Centre for Health Services Research, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
| | - Kim-Huong Nguyen
- Centre for Health Services Research, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
| | | | - Meera Agar
- ImPACCT, University of Technology Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Kuwawenaruwa A, Wyss K, Wiedenmayer K, Tediosi F. Cost and cost drivers associated with setting-up a prime vendor system to complement the national medicines supply chain in Tanzania. BMJ Glob Health 2020; 5:bmjgh-2020-002681. [PMID: 32928801 PMCID: PMC7490950 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2020-002681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Revised: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Economic analysis of supply chain management interventions to improve the availability of healthcare commodities at healthcare facilities is important in generating evidence for decision-makers. The current study assesses the cost and cost drivers for setting-up a public-private partnership programme in Tanzania in which all public healthcare facility orders for complementary medicines are pooled at the district level, and then purchased from one contracted supplier, the prime vendor (referred to as ‘Jazia Prime Vendor System’ (Jazia PVS)). Methods Financial and economic costs of Jazia PVS were collected retrospectively and using the ingredients approach. The financial costs were spread over the implementation period of January 2014–July 2019. In addition, we estimated the financial rollout costs of Jazia PVS to the other 23 regions in the country over 2 years (2018–2019). A multivariate sensitivity analysis was conducted on the estimates. Results Jazia PVS start-up and recurrent financial costs amounted to US$2 170 989.74 and US$709 302.32, respectively. The main cost drivers were costs for short-term experts, training of staff and healthcare workers and the Jazia PVS technical and board management activities. The start-up financial cost per facility was US$2819.47 and cost per capita was US$0.37. Conclusion In conclusion, the study provides useful information on the cost and cost drivers for setting-up a complementary pharmaceutical supply system to complement an existing system in low-income settings. Despite the substantial costs incurred in the initial investment and operations of the Jazia PVS, the new framework is effective in achieving the desired purpose of improving availability of healthcare commodities.
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Affiliation(s)
- August Kuwawenaruwa
- Ifakara Health Institute, Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania .,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), Basel, Switzerland
| | - Kaspar Wyss
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), Basel, Switzerland
| | - Karin Wiedenmayer
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), Basel, Switzerland.,Health Promotion and System Strengthening (HPSS) project, Dodoma, United Republic of Tanzania
| | - Fabrizio Tediosi
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), Basel, Switzerland
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Arakkal D, Mascarenhas M, Mangalaraj AM, Karthikeyan M, Prasad JH, Kunjummen AT, Kamath MS. Comparison of Low Cost Versus Conventional Assisted Reproductive Technology Treatment: A Prospective Micro Costing Study. FERTILITY & REPRODUCTION 2020. [DOI: 10.1142/s2661318220500164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: Among multiple barriers for infertility treatment, the major deterrent appears to be the high cost of assisted reproductive technology (ART). Low-cost ART employing mild stimulation protocols among other cost cutting measures has been advocated in resource limited settings. In the current study, we compared the actual cost incurred for conventional and low-cost ART treatment. Study Design: Prospective micro-costing study at a university-level infertility unit, including women undergoing conventional and low-cost ART. The data collection for micro-costing was done primarily through direct observation of the resources utilized and time involved on a prospective basis. Only direct medical cost involved in ART treatment was calculated. The outcome measures included the cost per cycle and cost per clinical pregnancy. Results: The average cost per couple per initiated cycle for the conventional ART was almost 50% higher as compared to low-cost ART ($1,433 vs. $739). The cost per clinical pregnancy per initiated cycle for conventional ART was lower compared to low-cost ART ($4248 vs. $4960). In a limited number of patients, the clinical pregnancy rate per embryo transfer was 40% (2/5 patients) in the conventional cycle as compared to 17% (1/6) in the low-cost ART cycle. Conclusion: Using mild stimulation protocol in the low-cost ART program resulted in reduction in actual cost per cycle to almost half, but the cost per clinical pregnancy was higher compared to conventional ART.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darshana Arakkal
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India
| | - Mariano Mascarenhas
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India
| | - Ann M. Mangalaraj
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India
| | | | - Jasmin H. Prasad
- Department of Community Medicine, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India
| | | | - Mohan S. Kamath
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India
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Cunnama L, Gomez GB, Siapka M, Herzel B, Hill J, Kairu A, Levin C, Okello D, DeCormier Plosky W, Garcia Baena I, Sweeney S, Vassall A, Sinanovic E. A Systematic Review of Methodological Variation in Healthcare Provider Perspective Tuberculosis Costing Papers Conducted in Low- and Middle-Income Settings, Using An Intervention-Standardised Unit Cost Typology. PHARMACOECONOMICS 2020; 38:819-837. [PMID: 32363543 PMCID: PMC7437656 DOI: 10.1007/s40273-020-00910-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a need for easily accessible tuberculosis unit cost data, as well as an understanding of the variability of methods used and reporting standards of that data. OBJECTIVE The aim of this systematic review was to descriptively review papers reporting tuberculosis unit costs from a healthcare provider perspective looking at methodological variation; to assess quality using a study quality rating system and machine learning to investigate the indicators of reporting quality; and to identify the data gaps to inform standardised tuberculosis unit cost collection and consistent principles for reporting going forward. METHODS We searched grey and published literature in five sources and eight databases, respectively, using search terms linked to cost, tuberculosis and tuberculosis health services including tuberculosis treatment and prevention. For inclusion, the papers needed to contain empirical unit cost estimates for tuberculosis interventions from low- and middle-income countries, with reference years between 1990 and 2018. A total of 21,691 papers were found and screened in a phased manner. Data were extracted from the eligible papers into a detailed Microsoft Excel tool, extensively cleaned and analysed with R software (R Project, Vienna, Austria) using the user interface of RStudio. A study quality rating was applied to the reviewed papers based on the inclusion or omission of a selection of variables and their relative importance. Following this, machine learning using a recursive partitioning method was utilised to construct a classification tree to assess the reporting quality. RESULTS This systematic review included 103 provider perspective papers with 627 unit costs (costs not presented here) for tuberculosis interventions among a total of 140 variables. The interventions covered were active, passive and intensified case finding; tuberculosis treatment; above-service costs; and tuberculosis prevention. Passive case finding is the detection of tuberculosis cases where individuals self-identify at health facilities; active case finding is detection of cases of those not in health facilities, such as through outreach; and intensified case finding is detection of cases in high-risk populations. There was heterogeneity in some of the reported methods used such cost allocation, amortisation and the use of top-down, bottom-up or mixed approaches to the costing. Uncertainty checking through sensitivity analysis was only reported on by half of the papers (54%), while purposive and convenience sampling was reported by 72% of papers. Machine learning indicated that reporting on 'Intervention' (in particular), 'Urbanicity' and 'Site Sampling', were the most likely indicators of quality of reporting. The largest data gap identified was for tuberculosis vaccination cost data, the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine in particular. There is a gap in available unit costs for 12 of 30 high tuberculosis burden countries, as well as for the interventions of above-service costs, tuberculosis prevention, and active and intensified case finding. CONCLUSION Variability in the methods and reporting used makes comparison difficult and makes it hard for decision makers to know which unit costs they can trust. The study quality rating system used in this review as well as the classification tree enable focus on specific reporting aspects that should improve variability and increase confidence in unit costs. Researchers should endeavour to be explicit and transparent in how they cost interventions following the principles as laid out in the Global Health Cost Consortium's Reference Case for Estimating the Costs of Global Health Services and Interventions, which in turn will lead to repeatability, comparability and enhanced learning from others.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy Cunnama
- Health Economics Unit, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - Gabriela B Gomez
- Department of Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Mariana Siapka
- Department of Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Ben Herzel
- Institute for Health Policy Studies, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jeremy Hill
- Department of Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Angela Kairu
- Health Economics Unit, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Carol Levin
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Dickson Okello
- Health Economics Unit, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | - Inés Garcia Baena
- TB Monitoring and Evaluation (TME), Global TB Programme, The World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Sedona Sweeney
- Department of Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Anna Vassall
- Department of Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Edina Sinanovic
- Health Economics Unit, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Cape Town, South Africa
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Prinja S, Singh MP, Guinness L, Rajsekar K, Bhargava B. Establishing reference costs for the health benefit packages under universal health coverage in India: cost of health services in India (CHSI) protocol. BMJ Open 2020; 10:e035170. [PMID: 32690737 PMCID: PMC7375634 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-035170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION To achieve universal health coverage, the Government of India has introduced Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB - PMJAY), a large tax-funded national health insurance scheme for the provision of secondary and tertiary care services in public and private hospitals. AB - PMJAY reimburses care for 1573 health benefit packages (HBPs). HBPs are designed to cover the treatment of diseases/conditions with high incidence/prevalence or which contribute to high out-of-pocket expenditure. However, there is a dearth of reference cost data against which provider payment rates can be assessed. METHODS AND ANALYSIS The CHSI (Cost of Health Services in India) study will collect cost data from 13 Indian states covering 52 public and 40 private hospitals, using a mixed economic costing methodology (top-down and bottom-up), to generate unit costs for the HBPs. States will be sampled to capture economic status, development indicators and health service utilisation heterogeneity. The public sector hospitals will be chosen at secondary and tertiary care level. One tertiary facility will be selected from each state. At secondary level, three districts per state will be selected randomly from the district composite development score ranking. The private sector hospital sample will be stratified by nature of ownership (for-profit and not-for-profit), type of city (tier 1, 2 or 3) and size of the hospital (number of beds). Average costs for each HBP will be calculated across the different facility types. Multiple scenarios will be used to suggest rates which could be negotiated with the providers. Overall, the study will provide economic cost data for price setting, strategic purchasing, health technology assessment and a national cost database of India. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The approval has been obtained from the Institutional Ethics Committee and Institutional Collaborative Committee of the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India. The results shall be disseminated in conferences and peer-reviewed articles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shankar Prinja
- Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, Chandigarh, India
| | - Maninder Pal Singh
- Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, Chandigarh, India
| | - Lorna Guinness
- Independent Researcher, Imperial College, London, UK
- Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, London, UK
| | - Kavitha Rajsekar
- Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health & Family welfare, New Delhi, India
| | - Balram Bhargava
- Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health & Family welfare, New Delhi, India
- Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi, Delhi, India
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Larson B, Cele R, Girdwood S, Long L, Miot J. Understanding the costs and the cost structure of a community-based HIV and gender-based violence (GBV) prevention program: the Woza Asibonisane Community Responses Program in South Africa. BMC Health Serv Res 2020; 20:526. [PMID: 32522172 PMCID: PMC7288692 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-020-05385-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The Woza Asibonisane Community Responses (CR) Programme was developed to prevent HIV infections and gender-based violence (GBV) within four provinces in South Africa. The Centre for Communication Impact (CCI) in collaboration with six partner non-governmental organizations (NGOs) implemented the programme, which was comprised of multiple types of group discussion and education activities organized and facilitated by each NGO. To date, little information exists on the cost of implementing such multi-objective, multi-activity, community-based programmes. To address this information gap, we estimated the annual cost of implementing the CR Programme for each NGO. Methods We used standard methods to estimate the costs for each NGO, which involved a package of multiple activities targeted to distinct subpopulations in specific locations. The primary sources of information came from the implementing organizations. Costs (US dollars, 2017) are reported for each partner for one implementation year (the U.S. Government fiscal year (10/2016–09/2017). In addition to total costs disaggregated by main input categories, a common metric--cost per participant intervention hour--is used to summarize costs across partners. Results Each activity included in the CR program involve organizing and bringing together a group of people from the target population to a location and then completing the curriculum for that activity. Activities were held in community settings (meeting hall, community center, sports grounds, schools, etc.). The annual cost per NGO varied substantially, from $260,302 to $740,413, as did scale based on estimated total participant hours, from 101,703 to 187,792 participant hours. The cost per participant hour varied from $2.8–$4.6, with NGO labor disaggregated into salaries for management and salaries for service delivery (providing the activity curriculum) contributing to the largest share of costs per participant hour. Conclusions The cost of implementing any community-based program depends on: (1) what the program implements; (2) the resources used; and (3) unit costs for such resources. Reporting on costs alone, however, does not provide enough information to evaluate if the costs are ‘too high’ or ‘too low’ without a clearer understanding of the benefits produced by the program, and if the benefits would change if resources (and therefore costs) were changed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruce Larson
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, Department of Internal Medicine,Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Clinical Medicine, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.,Department of Global Health, School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Refiloe Cele
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, Department of Internal Medicine,Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Clinical Medicine, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
| | - Sarah Girdwood
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, Department of Internal Medicine,Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Clinical Medicine, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Lawrence Long
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, Department of Internal Medicine,Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Clinical Medicine, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.,Department of Global Health, School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jacqui Miot
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, Department of Internal Medicine,Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Clinical Medicine, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Pooran A, Theron G, Zijenah L, Chanda D, Clowes P, Mwenge L, Mutenherwa F, Lecesse P, Metcalfe J, Sohn H, Hoelscher M, Pym A, Peter J, Dowdy D, Dheda K. Point of care Xpert MTB/RIF versus smear microscopy for tuberculosis diagnosis in southern African primary care clinics: a multicentre economic evaluation. LANCET GLOBAL HEALTH 2020; 7:e798-e807. [PMID: 31097281 DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(19)30164-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2018] [Revised: 12/28/2018] [Accepted: 02/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rapid on-site diagnosis facilitates tuberculosis control. Performing Xpert MTB/RIF (Xpert) at point of care is feasible, even when performed by minimally trained health-care workers, and when compared with point-of-care smear microscopy, reduces time to diagnosis and pretreatment loss to follow-up. However, whether Xpert is cost-effective at point of care remains unclear. METHODS We empirically collected cost (US$, 2014) and clinical outcome data from participants presenting to primary health-care facilities in four African countries (South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Tanzania) during the TB-NEAT trial. Costs were determined using an bottom-up ingredients approach. Effectiveness measures from the trial included number of cases diagnosed, initiated on treatment, and completing treatment. The primary outcome was the incremental cost-effectiveness of point-of-care Xpert relative to smear microscopy. The study was performed from the perspective of the health-care provider. FINDINGS Using data from 1502 patients, we calculated that the mean Xpert unit cost was lower when performed at a centralised laboratory (Lab Xpert) rather than at point of care ($23·00 [95% CI 22·12-23·88] vs $28·03 [26·19-29·87]). Per 1000 patients screened, and relative to smear microscopy, point-of-care Xpert cost an additional $35 529 (27 054-40 025) and was associated with an additional 24·3 treatment initiations ([-20·0 to 68·5]; $1464 per treatment), 63·4 same-day treatment initiations ([27·3-99·4]; $511 per same-day treatment), and 29·4 treatment completions ([-6·9 to 65·6]; $1211 per completion). Xpert costs were most sensitive to test volume, whereas incremental outcomes were most sensitive to the number of patients initiating and completing treatment. The probability of point-of-care Xpert being cost-effective was 90% at a willingness to pay of $3820 per treatment completion. INTERPRETATION In southern Africa, although point-of-care Xpert unit cost is higher than Lab Xpert, it is likely to offer good value for money relative to smear microscopy. With the current availability of point-of-care nucleic acid amplification platforms (eg, Xpert Edge), these data inform much needed investment and resource allocation strategies in tuberculosis endemic settings. FUNDING European Union European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anil Pooran
- Centre for Lung Infection and Immunity, Division of Pulmonology, Department of Medicine and University of Cape Town (UCT) Lung Institute and South African MRC/UCT Centre for the Study of Antimicrobial Resistance, UCT, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Grant Theron
- Centre for Lung Infection and Immunity, Division of Pulmonology, Department of Medicine and University of Cape Town (UCT) Lung Institute and South African MRC/UCT Centre for the Study of Antimicrobial Resistance, UCT, Cape Town, South Africa; Department of Science and Technology-National Research Foundation Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Tuberculosis Research, and South Africa Medical Research Council Centre for Tuberculosis Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, South Africa
| | - Lynn Zijenah
- Department of Immunology, University of Zimbabwe College of Health Sciences, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | | | - Petra Clowes
- National Institute of Medical Research, Mbeya Medical Research Centre, Mbeya, Tanzania; Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Medical Centre of the University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | | | | | - Paul Lecesse
- Denver Health Residency in Emergency Medicine, Denver Health Medical Center, Denver, CO, USA
| | - John Metcalfe
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Hojoon Sohn
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Michael Hoelscher
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Medical Centre of the University of Munich, Munich, Germany; German Centre for Infection Research, Munich, Germany
| | - Alex Pym
- South African Medical Research Council, Africa Health Research Institute, and Durban, South Africa
| | - Jonny Peter
- Department of Medicine, UCT, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - David Dowdy
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Keertan Dheda
- Centre for Lung Infection and Immunity, Division of Pulmonology, Department of Medicine and University of Cape Town (UCT) Lung Institute and South African MRC/UCT Centre for the Study of Antimicrobial Resistance, UCT, Cape Town, South Africa; Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Department of Immunology and Infection, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan Horton
- University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sumit Gupta
- The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Soares VM, Almeida IND, Vater MC, Alves S, Figueredo LJDA, Scherer L, Kritski AL, Carvalho WDS, Miranda SSD. Genotype®MTBDRplus and Xpert®MTB/RIF in the diagnosis of tuberculosis and resistant tuberculosis: cost analysis in a tertiary referral hospital. Rev Soc Bras Med Trop 2020; 53:e20190175. [PMID: 32049199 PMCID: PMC7083373 DOI: 10.1590/0037-8682-0175-2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The present study sought to assess the mean and activity based cost (ABC) of the laboratory diagnosis for tuberculosis through the application of conventional and molecular techniques-Xpert®MTB/RIF and Genotype®MTBDRplus-in a tertiary referral hospital in Brazil. METHODS The mean cost and ABC formed the basis for the cost analysis of the TB laboratory diagnosis. RESULTS The mean cost and ABC were US$ 4.00 and US$ 3.24, respectively, for a bacilloscopy; US$ 6.73 and US$ 5.27 for a Lowenstein-Jensen (LJ) culture; US$ 105.42 and US$ 76.56 for a drug sensitivity test (DST)-proportions method (PM) in LJ; US$ 148.45 and US$ 136.80 for a DST-BACTECTM MGITTM 960 system; US$ 11.53 and US$ 9.89 for an Xpert®MTB/RIF; and US$ 84.21 and US$ 48.38 for a Genotype®MTBDRplus. CONCLUSIONS The mean cost and ABC proved to be good decision-making parameters in the diagnosis of TB and MDR-TB. The effective implementation of algorithms will depend on the conditions at each location.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valéria Martins Soares
- Federação Hospitalar do Estado de Minas Gerais, Hospital Júlia Kubistchek, Laboratório de Microbiologia, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
| | - Isabela Neves de Almeida
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Laboratório de Pesquisa em Micobactérias, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
| | - Maria Cláudia Vater
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Programa Acadêmico de Tuberculose, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Suely Alves
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Programa Acadêmico de Tuberculose, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | | | - Luciene Scherer
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil
| | - Afrânio Lineu Kritski
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Programa Acadêmico de Tuberculose, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | | | - Silvana Spindola de Miranda
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Faculdade de Medicina, Grupo de Pesquisa em Micobactérias, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil
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