Dataset Information

Assessment of the Potential Impact and Cost-effectiveness of Self-Testing for HIV in Low-Income Countries.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Studies have demonstrated that self-testing for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is highly acceptable among individuals and could allow cost savings, compared with provider-delivered HIV testing and counseling (PHTC), although the longer-term population-level effects are uncertain. We evaluated the cost-effectiveness of introducing self-testing in 2015 over a 20-year time frame in a country such as Zimbabwe.

Methods

The HIV synthesis model was used. Two scenarios were considered. In the reference scenario, self-testing is not available, and the rate of first-time and repeat PHTC is assumed to increase from 2015 onward, in line with past trends. In the intervention scenario, self-testing is introduced at a unit cost of $3.

Results

We predict that the introduction of self-testing would lead to modest savings in healthcare costs of $75 million, while averting around 7000 disability-adjusted life-years over 20 years. Findings were robust to most variations in assumptions; however, higher cost of self-testing, lower linkage to care for people whose diagnosis is a consequence of a positive self-test result, and lower threshold for antiretroviral therapy eligibility criteria could lead to situations in which self-testing is not cost-effective.

Conclusions

This analysis suggests that introducing self-testing offers some health benefits and may well save costs.

SUBMITTER: Cambiano V

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4512606 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Assessment of the Potential Impact and Cost-effectiveness of Self-Testing for HIV in Low-Income Countries.

Cambiano Valentina V Ford Deborah D Mabugu Travor T Napierala Mavedzenge Sue S Miners Alec A Mugurungi Owen O Nakagawa Fumiyo F Revill Paul P Phillips Andrew A

The Journal of infectious diseases 20150312 4

<h4>Background</h4>Studies have demonstrated that self-testing for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is highly acceptable among individuals and could allow cost savings, compared with provider-delivered HIV testing and counseling (PHTC), although the longer-term population-level effects are uncertain. We evaluated the cost-effectiveness of introducing self-testing in 2015 over a 20-year time frame in a country such as Zimbabwe.<h4>Methods</h4>The HIV synthesis model was used. Two scenarios were ...[more]

PMID: 25767214

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Dataset Information

Assessment of the Potential Impact and Cost-effectiveness of Self-Testing for HIV in Low-Income Countries.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Assessment of the Potential Impact and Cost-effectiveness of Self-Testing for HIV in Low-Income Countries.

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