Cost effectiveness of Zinc Supplementation for the Treatment of Acute Diarrhoea in Children under 5 Years in Colombia.
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Date
2015
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Abstract
Objectives: To determine the relative cost-effectiveness of zinc supplementation for the treatment
of acute diarrhoea in children under five years in Colombia.
Methods: Cost-effectiveness analysis from the perspective of the Colombian Health System. We
evaluated standard treatment with addition of zinc versus standard treatment without zinc
supplement for children from birth to five years. The time horizon was the duration of the diarrhoea.
Effectiveness information was extracted from a Cochrane systematic review and Colombian
databases and observational studies. Identification and measurement of resource use was based
in clinical guidelines, protocols and expert opinion. Unit costs were obtained from Colombian tariff
manuals. We performed deterministic sensitivity analysis to assess the impact of changes in the
cost and effectiveness of the strategies on the results of the model.
Results: The average treatment cost of one diarrhoea episode in Colombia is USD $40.77 using
standard treatment, and USD $32.96 with zinc supplementation, a reduction of $7.81 USD.
Additionally, zinc supplementation is more effective than standard treatment without zinc: it
reduces diarrhoea-related mortality and incidence of persistent diarrhoea. The results are sensitive
to changes in the probability of hospitalization and persistent diarrhoea, but conclusions do not
change substantially. Conclusions: Zinc for the treatment of acute diarrhoea is a highly cost-effective strategy from the
perspective of the Colombian Health System. It is more cost-effective in children with higher risk of
persistent diarrhoea and hospitalization.
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Mejia Aurelio, Atehortua Sara, Florez Ivan D, Sierra Javier M, Mejia Maria E, Ramirez Carolina. Cost effectiveness of Zinc Supplementation for the Treatment of Acute Diarrhoea in Children under 5 Years in Colombia. European Journal of Nutrition & Food Safety. 2015 Special issue; 5(5): 1032-1033.