Costs and health consequences of chlamydia management strategies among pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa

Maria Romoen, Johanne Sundby, Per Hjortdahl, Fatrima Hussein, Tore W. Steen, Manonmany Velauthapillai and Ivar Sønbø Kristiansen ()
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Maria Romoen: Faculty of Medicine, Postal: University of Oslo, Box 1130 Blindern, N-0318 Oslo, Norway
Johanne Sundby: Faculty of Medicine, Postal: University of Oslo, Box 1130 Blindern, N-0318 Oslo, Norway
Per Hjortdahl: Faculty of Medicine, Postal: University of Oslo, Box 1130 Blindern, N-0318 Oslo, Norway
Fatrima Hussein: Ministry of Health, Postal: Gaborone, Botswana
Tore W. Steen: Ministry of Health, Postal: Gaborone, Botswana
Manonmany Velauthapillai: Ministry of Health, Postal: Gaborone, Botswana
Ivar Sønbø Kristiansen: Institute of Health Management and Health Economics, Postal: P.O. Box 1089 Blindern, NO-0317 Oslo, Norway

No 2007:10, HERO Online Working Paper Series from University of Oslo, Health Economics Research Programme

Abstract: Objectives: Chlamydia is the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection worldwide and a major cause of morbidity – particularly among women and neonates. We compared costs and health consequences of using point-of-care (POC) tests with current syndromic management among antenatal care attendees in sub-Saharan Africa. We also compared erythromycin with azithromycin treatment and universal with age-based chlamydia management. Methods: A decision analytic model was developed to compare diagnostic and treatment strategies, using Botswana as a case. Model input was based upon 1) a study of pregnant women in Botswana, 2) literature reviews and 3) expert opinion. We expressed the study outcome in terms of costs (US$), cases cured, magnitude of overtreatment and successful partner treatment. Results: Azithromycin was less costly and more effective than was erythromycin. Compared to syndromic management, testing all attendees on their first visit with a 75% sensitive POC test increased the number of cases cured from 1 500 to 3 500 in a population of 100 000 women, at a cost of US$38 per additional case cured. This cost was lower in high-prevalence populations or if testing was restricted to teenagers. The specific POC tests provided the advantage of substantial reductions in overtreatment with antibiotics and improved partner management. Conclusions: Using POC tests to diagnose chlamydia during antenatal care in sub-Saharan Africa entails greater health benefits than syndromic management does – and at acceptable costs – especially when restricted to younger women. Changes in diagnostic strategy and treatment regimens may improve people’s health and even reduce health care budgets.

Keywords: Chlamydia trachomatis (MeSH); Cost-effectiveness analysis (non-MeSH); Cost Analysis (MeSH); Developing countries (MeSH); Africa (MeSH); Sub-Saharan Africa (MeSH) Maternal health (non-MeSH); Maternal Health Services (MeSH); Women’s Health (MeSH); Point-of-care tests (non-MeSH); Diagnostic tests (non-MeSH); Diagnosis (MeSH); Syndromic approach (non-MeSH); STI management (non-MeSH) (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 103 pages
Date: 2009-06-03
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-afr, nep-dev and nep-hea
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