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Cirera L, Galatas B, Alonso S, Paaijmans K, Mamuquele M, Martí-Soler H, Guinovart C, Munguambe H, Luis F, Nhantumbo H, Montañà J, Bassat Q, Candrinho B, Rabinovich R, Macete E, Aide P, Alonso P, Saúte F, Sicuri E. Moving towards malaria elimination in southern Mozambique: Cost and cost-effectiveness of mass drug administration combined with intensified malaria control. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0235631. [PMID: 32628741 PMCID: PMC7337313 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0235631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND As new combinations of interventions aiming at interrupting malaria transmission are under evaluation, understanding the associated economic costs and benefits is critical for decision-making. This study assessed the economic cost and cost-effectiveness of the Magude project, a malaria elimination initiative implemented in a district in southern Mozambique (i.e. Magude) between August 2015-June 2018. This project piloted a combination of two mass drug administration (MDA) rounds per year for two consecutive years, annual rounds of universal indoor residual spraying (IRS) and a strengthened surveillance and response system on the back of universal long-lasting insecticide treated net (LLIN) coverage and routine case management implemented by the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP). Although local transmission was not interrupted, the project achieved large reductions in the burden of malaria in the target district. METHODS We collected weekly economic data, estimated costs from the project implementer perspective and assessed the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) associated with the Magude project as compared to routine malaria control activities, the counterfactual. We estimated disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for malaria cases and deaths and assessed the variation of the ICER over time to capture the marginal costs and effectiveness associated with subsequent phases of project implementation. We used deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses to account for uncertainty and built an alternative scenario by assuming the implementation of the interventions from a governmental perspective. Economic costs are provided in constant US$2015. RESULTS After three years, the Magude project averted a total of 3,171 DALYs at an incremental cost of $2.89 million and an average yearly cost of $20.7 per targeted person. At an average cost of $19.4 per person treated per MDA round, the social mobilization and distribution of door-to-door MDA contributed to 53% of overall resources employed, with personnel and logistics being the main cost drivers. The ICER improved over time as a result of decreasing costs and improved effectiveness. The overall ICER was $987 (CI95% 968-1,006) per DALY averted, which is below the standard cost-effectiveness (CE) threshold of $1,404/DALY averted, three times the gross domestic product (GDP) per capita of Mozambique, but above the threshold of interventions considered highly cost-effective (one time the GDP per capita or $468/DALY averted) and above the recently suggested thresholds based on the health opportunity cost ($537 purchasing power parity/ DALY averted). A significantly lower ICER was obtained in the implementation scenario from a governmental perspective ($441/DALY averted). CONCLUSION Despite the initial high costs and volume of resources associated with its implementation, MDA in combination with other existing malaria control interventions, can be a cost-effective strategy to drastically reduce transmission in areas of low to moderate transmission in sub-Saharan Africa. However, further studies are needed to understand the capacity of the health system and financial affordability to scale up such strategies at regional or national level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laia Cirera
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic -Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Beatriz Galatas
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic -Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde da Manhiça (CISM), Manhiça, Mozambique
| | - Sergi Alonso
- Centre for Primary Care and Public Health, Barts and The London School of Medicine & Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Krijn Paaijmans
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic -Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde da Manhiça (CISM), Manhiça, Mozambique
- Center for Evolution and Medicine & The Biodesign Center for Immunotherapy, Vaccines and Virotherapy, School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Miler Mamuquele
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde da Manhiça (CISM), Manhiça, Mozambique
| | | | | | | | - Fabião Luis
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde da Manhiça (CISM), Manhiça, Mozambique
| | - Hoticha Nhantumbo
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde da Manhiça (CISM), Manhiça, Mozambique
| | - Júlia Montañà
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic -Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde da Manhiça (CISM), Manhiça, Mozambique
| | - Quique Bassat
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic -Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde da Manhiça (CISM), Manhiça, Mozambique
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases Unit, Pediatrics Department, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu (University of Barcelona), Barcelona, Spain
- ICREA, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Baltazar Candrinho
- National Malaria Control Program, Ministry of Health, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Regina Rabinovich
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic -Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Eusebio Macete
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde da Manhiça (CISM), Manhiça, Mozambique
- National Institute of Health, Ministry of Health, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Pedro Aide
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde da Manhiça (CISM), Manhiça, Mozambique
- National Institute of Health, Ministry of Health, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Pedro Alonso
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic -Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde da Manhiça (CISM), Manhiça, Mozambique
| | - Francisco Saúte
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde da Manhiça (CISM), Manhiça, Mozambique
| | - Elisa Sicuri
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic -Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Health Economics Group, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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Turner HC, Walker M, Pion SDS, McFarland DA, Bundy DAP, Basáñez M. Economic evaluations of onchocerciasis interventions: a systematic review and research needs. Trop Med Int Health 2019; 24:788-816. [PMID: 31013395 PMCID: PMC6617745 DOI: 10.1111/tmi.13241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To provide a systematic review of economic evaluations that has been conducted for onchocerciasis interventions, to summarise current key knowledge and to identify research gaps. METHOD A systematic review of the literature was conducted on the 8th of August 2018 using the PubMed (MEDLINE) and ISI Web of Science electronic databases. No date or language stipulations were applied to the searches. RESULTS We identified 14 primary studies reporting the results of economic evaluations of onchocerciasis interventions, seven of which were cost-effectiveness analyses. The studies identified used a variety of different approaches to estimate the costs of the investigated interventions/programmes. Originally, the studies only quantified the benefits associated with preventing blindness. Gradually, methods improved and also captured onchocerciasis-associated skin disease. Studies found that eliminating onchocerciasis would generate billions in economic benefits. The majority of the cost-effectiveness analyses evaluated annual mass drug administration (MDA). The estimated cost per disability-adjusted life year (DALY) averted of annual MDA varies between US$3 and US$30 (cost year variable). CONCLUSIONS The cost benefit and cost effectiveness of onchocerciasis interventions have consistently been found to be very favourable. This finding provides strong evidential support for the ongoing efforts to eliminate onchocerciasis from endemic areas. Although these results are very promising, there are several important research gaps that need to be addressed as we move towards the 2020 milestones and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo C. Turner
- Oxford University Clinical Research UnitWellcome Africa Asia ProgrammeHo Chi Minh CityVietnam
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global HealthNuffield Department of MedicineUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Martin Walker
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease ResearchDepartment of Pathobiology and Population SciencesRoyal Veterinary CollegeHatfieldUK
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease ResearchDepartment of Infectious Disease EpidemiologySchool of Public HealthImperial College LondonLondonUK
| | - Sébastien D. S. Pion
- Institut de Recherche pour le DéveloppementUMI 233‐INSERMU1175‐Montpellier UniversityMontpellierFrance
| | | | | | - María‐Gloria Basáñez
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease ResearchDepartment of Infectious Disease EpidemiologySchool of Public HealthImperial College LondonLondonUK
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease AnalysisDepartment of Infectious Disease EpidemiologySchool of Public HealthImperial College LondonLondonUK
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Sutherland CS, Tediosi F. Is the elimination of 'sleeping sickness' affordable? Who will pay the price? Assessing the financial burden for the elimination of human African trypanosomiasis Trypanosoma brucei gambiense in sub-Saharan Africa. BMJ Glob Health 2019; 4:e001173. [PMID: 31139437 PMCID: PMC6509604 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2018-001173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2018] [Revised: 03/07/2019] [Accepted: 03/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Programme to eliminate neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) have gained global recognition, and may allow for improvements to universal health coverage and poverty alleviation. It is hoped that elimination of human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) Trypanosoma brucei gambiense (Tbg) would assist in this goal, but the financial costs are still unknown. The objective of this analysis was to forecast the financial burden of direct costs of HAT Tbg to funders and society. Methods In order to estimate the total costs to health services and individuals: (1) potential elimination programmes were defined; (2) the direct costs of programmes were calculated; (3) the per case out-of-pocket payments (OOPs) by programme and financial risk protection indicators were estimated. The total estimated costs for control and elimination programme were reported up till 2020 in international dollars. The mean results for both direct programme costs and OOPs were calculated and reported along with 95% CIs. Results Across sub-Saharan Africa, HAT Tbg maintaining ‘Control’ would lead to a decline in cases and cost US$630.6 million. In comparison, the cost of ‘Elimination’ programme ranged from US$410.9 million to US$1.2 billion. Maintaining ‘Control’ would continue to cause impoverishment and financial hardship to households; while all ‘Elimination’ programme would lead to significant reductions in poverty. Conclusion Overall, the total costs of either control or elimination programme would be near US$1 billion in the next decade. However, only elimination programme will reduce the number of cases and improve financial risk protection for households who are impacted by HAT Tbg.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Simone Sutherland
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Medicine, Universitat Basel Medizinische Fakultat, Basel, Switzerland.,Department of Epidemiology and Public Health (EPH), Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Fabrizio Tediosi
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health (EPH), Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.,Department of Public Health, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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Gedge LM, Bettis AA, Bradley MH, Hollingsworth TD, Turner HC. Economic evaluations of lymphatic filariasis interventions: a systematic review and research needs. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:75. [PMID: 29391042 PMCID: PMC5793442 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2616-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2017] [Accepted: 01/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
In 2000, the World Health Organization established the Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (GPELF), with the goal of eliminating the disease as a public health problem by 2020. Since the start of the programme, a cumulative total of 6.2 billion treatments have been delivered to affected populations - with more than 556 million people treated in 2015 alone. In this paper, we perform a rigorous systematic review of the economic evaluations of lymphatic filariasis interventions have been conducted. We demonstrate that the standard interventions to control lymphatic filariasis are consistently found to be highly cost-effective. This finding has important implications for advocacy groups and potential funders. However, there are several important inconsistencies and research gaps that need to be addressed as we move forward towards the 2020 elimination goals. One of the most important identified research gaps was a lack of evaluation of new interventions specifically targeting areas co-endemic with onchocerciasis and Loa loa - which could become a major barrier to achieving elimination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukyn M. Gedge
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, St Marys Campus, Imperial College London, Norfolk Place, London, W2 1PG UK
| | - Alison A. Bettis
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research, London, UK
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, St Marys Campus, Imperial College London, Norfolk Place, London, W2 1PG UK
| | | | - T. Déirdre Hollingsworth
- Mathematics Institute, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL UK
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL UK
- Big Data Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7LF UK
| | - Hugo C. Turner
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Wellcome Trust Major Overseas Programme, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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