The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #46314

Margaret Siwale, MD¹, Ann Levin, MPH, PhD², Barbara Janowitz, PhD³, Naomi Rutenberg, PhD⁴, Chipepo Kankasa, MD¹, and Ann Mushanga¹. (1) University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia, University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia, (2) Population Council, Horizons Program/ Family Health International, 4301 Connecticut Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20008, (202)237-9409, siwalem@coppernet.zm, (3) Health Services Research, Family Health International, P.O. Box 13950, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, (4) Population Council, 4301 Connecticut Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20008

Background: Several studies have estimated the costs of mother-to-child transmission prevention studies hypothetically. However, few have attempted to estimate the actual costs of implementing an intervention on MTCT. The HORIZONS program has collected data at a hospital in Zambia that is providing MTCT prevention services. Some of the questions that are examined in this study are the following: (1) how much does it cost to offer this service in health facilities in developing countries?; (2) what is the relative importance of resources used in the provision of this service?; and 3) how much does providing the service cost per ANC client?

Methods: The incremental costs of adding MTCT services to already existing MCH services in a hospital in Zambia were estimated. Data were collected from 1003 ANC clients that were offered HIV testing and MTCT services. Among clients that were HIV-positive, 54% chose to take the ARV and/or infant formula.

The value of the resources used in the provision of services was estimated and included start-up costs (e.g. training), health worker time, drugs, supplies, transport, IEC materials, and laboratory tests. The additional health worker time required for the intervention was estimated from patient flow analysis and intervention observation. Other information was obtained from review of intervention and hospital records.

Learning Objectives:

• The panel attendees will know the MTCT model used in Zambia, costs of adding MTCT services to antenatal services in a health facility and the relative importance of resources in the provision of these services.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Prevention

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Population Council, Family Health International
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.