Potential cost-effectiveness of universal access to modern contraceptives in Uganda.

BACKGROUND: Over two thirds of women who need contraception in Uganda lack access to modern effective methods. This study was conducted to estimate the potential cost-effectiveness of achieving universal access to modern contraceptives in Uganda by implementing a hypothetical new contraceptive progr...

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Main Authors: Joseph B Babigumira, Andy Stergachis, David L Veenstra, Jacqueline S Gardner, Joseph Ngonzi, Peter Mukasa-Kivunike, Louis P Garrison
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2012-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC3281877?pdf=render
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author Joseph B Babigumira
Andy Stergachis
David L Veenstra
Jacqueline S Gardner
Joseph Ngonzi
Peter Mukasa-Kivunike
Louis P Garrison
author_facet Joseph B Babigumira
Andy Stergachis
David L Veenstra
Jacqueline S Gardner
Joseph Ngonzi
Peter Mukasa-Kivunike
Louis P Garrison
author_sort Joseph B Babigumira
collection DOAJ
description BACKGROUND: Over two thirds of women who need contraception in Uganda lack access to modern effective methods. This study was conducted to estimate the potential cost-effectiveness of achieving universal access to modern contraceptives in Uganda by implementing a hypothetical new contraceptive program (NCP) from both societal and governmental (Ministry of Health (MoH)) perspectives. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: A Markov model was developed to compare the NCP to the status quo or current contraceptive program (CCP). The model followed a hypothetical cohort of 15-year old girls over a lifetime horizon. Data were obtained from the Uganda National Demographic and Health Survey and from published and unpublished sources. Costs, life expectancy, disability-adjusted life expectancy, pregnancies, fertility and incremental cost-effectiveness measured as cost per life-year (LY) gained, cost per disability-adjusted life-year (DALY) averted, cost per pregnancy averted and cost per unit of fertility reduction were calculated. Univariate and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed to examine the robustness of results. Mean discounted life expectancy and disability-adjusted life expectancy (DALE) were higher under the NCP vs. CCP (28.74 vs. 28.65 years and 27.38 vs. 27.01 respectively). Mean pregnancies and live births per woman were lower under the NCP (9.51 vs. 7.90 and 6.92 vs. 5.79 respectively). Mean lifetime societal costs per woman were lower for the NCP from the societal perspective ($1,949 vs. $1,987) and the MoH perspective ($636 vs. $685). In the incremental analysis, the NCP dominated the CCP, i.e. it was both less costly and more effective. The results were robust to univariate and probabilistic sensitivity analysis. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Universal access to modern contraceptives in Uganda appears to be highly cost-effective. Increasing contraceptive coverage should be considered among Uganda's public health priorities.
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spelling doaj.art-e64a1de608e54aeca6cbcdd204b11d702022-12-21T20:35:24ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032012-01-0172e3073510.1371/journal.pone.0030735Potential cost-effectiveness of universal access to modern contraceptives in Uganda.Joseph B BabigumiraAndy StergachisDavid L VeenstraJacqueline S GardnerJoseph NgonziPeter Mukasa-KivunikeLouis P GarrisonBACKGROUND: Over two thirds of women who need contraception in Uganda lack access to modern effective methods. This study was conducted to estimate the potential cost-effectiveness of achieving universal access to modern contraceptives in Uganda by implementing a hypothetical new contraceptive program (NCP) from both societal and governmental (Ministry of Health (MoH)) perspectives. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: A Markov model was developed to compare the NCP to the status quo or current contraceptive program (CCP). The model followed a hypothetical cohort of 15-year old girls over a lifetime horizon. Data were obtained from the Uganda National Demographic and Health Survey and from published and unpublished sources. Costs, life expectancy, disability-adjusted life expectancy, pregnancies, fertility and incremental cost-effectiveness measured as cost per life-year (LY) gained, cost per disability-adjusted life-year (DALY) averted, cost per pregnancy averted and cost per unit of fertility reduction were calculated. Univariate and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed to examine the robustness of results. Mean discounted life expectancy and disability-adjusted life expectancy (DALE) were higher under the NCP vs. CCP (28.74 vs. 28.65 years and 27.38 vs. 27.01 respectively). Mean pregnancies and live births per woman were lower under the NCP (9.51 vs. 7.90 and 6.92 vs. 5.79 respectively). Mean lifetime societal costs per woman were lower for the NCP from the societal perspective ($1,949 vs. $1,987) and the MoH perspective ($636 vs. $685). In the incremental analysis, the NCP dominated the CCP, i.e. it was both less costly and more effective. The results were robust to univariate and probabilistic sensitivity analysis. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Universal access to modern contraceptives in Uganda appears to be highly cost-effective. Increasing contraceptive coverage should be considered among Uganda's public health priorities.http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC3281877?pdf=render
spellingShingle Joseph B Babigumira
Andy Stergachis
David L Veenstra
Jacqueline S Gardner
Joseph Ngonzi
Peter Mukasa-Kivunike
Louis P Garrison
Potential cost-effectiveness of universal access to modern contraceptives in Uganda.
PLoS ONE
title Potential cost-effectiveness of universal access to modern contraceptives in Uganda.
title_full Potential cost-effectiveness of universal access to modern contraceptives in Uganda.
title_fullStr Potential cost-effectiveness of universal access to modern contraceptives in Uganda.
title_full_unstemmed Potential cost-effectiveness of universal access to modern contraceptives in Uganda.
title_short Potential cost-effectiveness of universal access to modern contraceptives in Uganda.
title_sort potential cost effectiveness of universal access to modern contraceptives in uganda
url http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC3281877?pdf=render
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