Cost savings with rapid diagnostic tests for malaria in low-transmission areas: evidence from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Details

Serval ID
serval:BIB_BC0870133417
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Title
Cost savings with rapid diagnostic tests for malaria in low-transmission areas: evidence from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Journal
American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Author(s)
Yukich J., D'Acremont V., Kahama J., Swai N., Lengeler C.
ISSN
1476-1645 (Electronic)
ISSN-L
0002-9637
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2010
Volume
83
Number
1
Pages
61-68
Language
english
Notes
Publication types: Journal Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tPublication Status: ppublish
Abstract
Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) for malaria may help rationalize antimalarial drug use. However, the economic effects of these tests may vary. Data on costs were collected from 259 patients in 6 health facilities by using exit and in-charge interviews and record reviews during a trial of RDT rollout in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The RDTs decreased patient expenditure on drugs (savings = U.S. $0.36; P = 0.002) and provider drug costs (savings = U.S. $0.43; P = 0.034) compared with control facilities. However, RDT introduction did not significantly reduce patients' overall expenditures (U.S. $1.02, 95% confidence interval [CI] = $0.76-$1.36 versus U.S. $1.33 95% CI = $0.99-$1.77) and may increase total provider costs (U.S. $3.63, 95% CI = $3.40-$3.89 versus U.S. $2.32, 95% CI = $1.99-$2.69) compared with control facilities. Clinician's compliance with test results was higher with RDTs than with routine microscopy (95% versus 82%; P = 0.002). The RDTs reduced drug costs in this setting but did not offset the cost of the tests, although they also resulted in non-monetary benefits, including improved management of patients and increased compliance with test results.
Keywords
Antigens, Protozoan/immunology, Antimalarials/therapeutic use, Cost Savings/economics, Diagnostic Tests, Routine/economics, Diagnostic Tests, Routine/methods, Drug Therapy, Combination, Humans, Malaria/diagnosis, Malaria/drug therapy, Malaria, Falciparum/diagnosis, Malaria, Falciparum/transmission, Parasitic Sensitivity Tests, Plasmodium falciparum/genetics, Plasmodium falciparum/immunology, Reagent Kits, Diagnostic/economics, Tanzania/epidemiology, Urban Population
Pubmed
Open Access
Yes
Create date
27/01/2014 12:19
Last modification date
20/08/2019 15:30
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