Economic costs and cost-effectiveness of conditional cash transfers for the uptake of services for the prevention of vertical HIV transmissions in a resource-limited setting

Steven P. Masiano, Bienvenu Kawende, Noro Lantoniaina Rosa Ravelomanana, Tiffany L. Green, Bassam Dahman, Harsha Thirumurthy, April D. Kimmel, Marcel Yotebieng

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background: Prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) is critical for halting the HIV epidemic. However, innovative approaches to improve PMTCT uptake may be resource-intensive. We examined the economic costs and cost-effectiveness of conditional cash transfers (CCTs) for the uptake of PMTCT services in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Methods: We leveraged data from a randomized controlled trial of CCTs (n = 216) versus standard PMTCT care alone (standard of care (SOC), n = 217). Economic cost data came from multiple sources, with costs analyzed from the societal perspective and reported in 2016 international dollars (I$). Effectiveness outcomes included PMTCT uptake (i.e., accepting all PMTCT visits and services) and retention (i.e., in HIV care at six weeks post-partum). Generalized estimating equations estimated effectiveness (relative risk) and incremental costs, with incremental effectiveness reported as the number of women needing CCTs for an additional PMTCT uptake or retention. We evaluated the cost-effectiveness of the CCTs at various levels of willingness-to-pay and assessed uncertainty using deterministic sensitivity analysis and cost-effectiveness acceptability curves. Results: Mean costs per participant were I$516 (CCTs) and I$431 (SOC), representing an incremental cost of I$85 (95% CI: 59, 111). PMTCT uptake was more likely for CCTs vs SOC (68% vs 53%, p < 0.05), with seven women needing CCTs for each additional PMTCT service uptake; twelve women needed CCTs for an additional PMTCT retention. The incremental cost-effectiveness of CCTs vs SOC was I$595 (95% CI: I$550, I$638) for PMTCT uptake and I$1028 (95% CI: I$931, I$1125) for PMTCT retention. CCTs would be an efficient use of resources if society's willingness-to-pay for an additional woman who takes up PMTCT services is at least I$640. In the worst-case scenario, the findings remained relatively robust. Conclusions: Given the relatively low cost of the CCTs, policies supporting CCTs may decrease onward HIV transmission and expedite progress toward ending the epidemic.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number115684
JournalSocial Science and Medicine
Volume320
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2023

Keywords

  • Conditional cash transfers
  • Cost-effectiveness
  • Economic costs
  • HIV
  • PMTCT
  • Retention
  • The Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • Uptake

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Health(social science)
  • History and Philosophy of Science

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