Costs and scale-up costs of community-based Oral HIV Self-Testing for female sex workers and men who have sex with men in Jakarta and Bali, Indonesia

BACKGROUND

The proportion of individuals who know their HIV status in Indonesia (66% in 2021) still remains far below the first 95% of UNAIDS 2030 target and were much lower in certain Key Populations (KPs) particularly Female Sex Workers (FSW) and Male having Sex with Male (MSM). Indonesia has implemented Oral HIV Self-testing (oral HIVST) through Community-based screening (HIV CBS) in addition to other testing modalities aimed at hard-to-reach KPs, but the implementation cost is still not analysed. This study provides the cost and scale up cost estimation of HIV CBS in Jakarta and Bali, Indonesia.

METHODS

We estimated the societal cost of HIV CBS that was implemented through NGOs. The HIV CBS's total and unit cost were estimated from HIV CBS outcome, health care system cost and client costs. Cost data were presented by input, KPs and areas. Health care system cost inputs were categorized into capital and recurrent cost both in start-up and implementation phases. Client costs were categorized as direct medical, direct non-medical cost and indirect costs. Sensitivity and scenario analyses for scale up were performed.

RESULTS

In total, 5350 and 1401 oral HIVST test kits were distributed for HIV CBS in Jakarta and Bali, respectively. Average total client cost for HIV CBS Self testing process ranged from US$1.9 to US$12.2 for 1 day and US$2.02 to US$33.61 for 2 days process. Average total client cost for HIV CBS confirmation test ranged from US$2.83 to US$18.01. From Societal Perspective, the cost per HIVST kit distributed were US$98.59 and US$40.37 for FSW and MSM in Jakarta andUS$35.26 and US$43.31 for FSW and MSM in Bali.

CONCLUSIONS

CBS using oral HIVST approach varied widely along with characteristics of HIV CBS volume and cost. HIV CBS was most costly among FSW in Jakarta, attributed to the low HIV CBS volume, high personnel salary cost and client cost. Future approaches to minimize cost and/or maximize testing coverage could include unpaid community led distribution to reach end-users, integrating HIVST into routine clinical services via direct or secondary distribution and using social media network.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of Japanese Encephalitis (JE) vaccination program in Bali Province, Indonesia

OBJECTIVE

The incidence of Japanese Encephalitis (JE) in Bali Province remains high, and is one among the highest in Indonesia. The Indonesian Government initiated the JE vaccination campaign followed by a JE vaccine introduction program in Bali Province in 2018. The JE vaccination program then has been fully integrated into the provincial routine immunization program since 2019. We conducted a retrospective economic analysis of JE vaccination program in Bali Province, Indonesia; considering multiple vaccination strategies.

METHODS

We conducted a cost-effectiveness analysis using a decision analytic model comparing two vaccination strategies with no vaccination from the societal and government perspectives. These vaccination strategies were: (1) JE vaccination campaign and introduction program, and (2) a routine JE vaccination program. We compared costs and outcomes for three hypothetical cohorts of 100,000 children followed from birth to the age of 10 years, with impacts measured throughout the child's life-time. We measured the economic consequences as costs per case, per death, and per disability-adjusted life year (DALY) averted.

RESULTS

A routine JE immunization program was the most cost-effective strategy with a cost per DALYs averted of US$ 212.59 and US$ 94.09 from the government and societal perspectives respectively. In contrast, costs per DALYs averted through the JE vaccination campaign and introduction strategy was US$ 1,473.53 and US$ 1,224.20 from the government and societal perspectives respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Both JE vaccination strategies are cost-effective but they are not cost-saving when compared to no immunization program.