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Cost Effectiveness and Resource Allocation
Published in: Cost Effectiveness and Resource Allocation 1/2014

Open Access 01-12-2014 | Research

Cost-effectiveness of eye care services in Zambia

Authors: Ulla K Griffiths, Fiammetta M Bozzani, Adrian Gheorghe, Lawrence Mwenge, Clare Gilbert

Published in: Cost Effectiveness and Resource Allocation | Issue 1/2014

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Abstract

Objective

To estimate the cost-effectiveness of cataract surgery and refractive error/presbyopia correction in Zambia.

Methods

Primary data on costs and health related quality of life were collected in a prospective cohort study of 170 cataract and 113 refractive error/presbyopia patients recruited from three health facilities. Six months later, follow-up data were available from 77 and 41 patients who had received cataract surgery and spectacles, respectively. Costs were determined from patient interviews and micro-costing at the three health facilities. Utility values were gathered by administering the EQ-5D quality of life instrument immediately before and six months after cataract surgery or acquiring spectacles. A probabilistic state-transition model was used to generate cost-effectiveness estimates with uncertainty ranges.

Results

Utility values significantly improved across the patient sample after cataract surgery and acquiring spectacles. Incremental costs per Quality Adjusted Life Years gained were US$ 259 for cataract surgery and US$ 375 for refractive error correction. The probabilities of the incremental cost-effectiveness ratios being below the Zambian gross national income per capita were 95% for both cataract surgery and refractive error correction.

Conclusion

In spite of proven cost-effectiveness, severe health system constraints are likely to hamper scaling up of the interventions.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Cost-effectiveness of eye care services in Zambia
Authors
Ulla K Griffiths
Fiammetta M Bozzani
Adrian Gheorghe
Lawrence Mwenge
Clare Gilbert
Publication date
01-12-2014
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Cost Effectiveness and Resource Allocation / Issue 1/2014
Electronic ISSN: 1478-7547
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1478-7547-12-6

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