Cost Effectiveness of Community-Based Care for Malnourished Children in Zambia
Author Information
Author(s): Max O. Bachmann
Primary Institution: University of East Anglia
Hypothesis
Is community-based therapeutic care (CTC) for children with severe acute malnutrition cost effective compared to no treatment?
Conclusion
CTC is relatively cost effective compared to other priority health care interventions in developing countries.
Supporting Evidence
- CTC cost an average of $203 per child.
- Expected death rates within one year were 9.2% with CTC and 20.8% with no treatment.
- CTC was at least 80% likely to be cost effective if society was willing to pay at least $88 per DALY gained.
Takeaway
This study shows that helping malnourished children at home is cheaper and saves more lives than doing nothing.
Methodology
A decision tree model was used to compare costs and outcomes of CTC to a hypothetical 'do-nothing' alternative.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to reliance on historical data for mortality rates without treatment.
Limitations
The study relied on assumptions about outcomes and costs of no health care for SAM, which may not reflect current conditions.
Participant Demographics
Children under five years with severe acute malnutrition in Lusaka, Zambia.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.018
Confidence Interval
$139–$274
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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