Innovative dengue vector control interventions in Latin America: what do they cost?

Eduardo Alfonso-Sierra*, César Basso, Efraín Beltrán-Ayala, Kendra Mitchell-Foster, Juliana Quintero, Sebastián Cortés, Pablo Manrique-Saide, Guillermo Guillermo-May, Andrea Caprara, Edilmar Carvalho de Lima, Axel Kroeger

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: Five studies were conducted in Fortaleza (Brazil), Girardot (Colombia), Machala (Ecuador), Acapulco (Mexico), and Salto (Uruguay) to assess dengue vector control interventions tailored to the context. The studies involved the community explicitly in the implementation, and focused on the most productive breeding places for Aedes aegypti. This article reports the cost analysis of these interventions. Methods: We conducted the costing from the perspective of the vector control program. We collected data on quantities and unit costs of the resources used to deliver the interventions. Comparable information was requested for the routine activities. Cost items were classified, analyzed descriptively, and aggregated to calculate total costs, costs per house reached, and incremental costs. Results: Cost per house of the interventions were $18.89 (Fortaleza), $21.86 (Girardot), $30.61 (Machala), $39.47 (Acapulco), and $6.98 (Salto). Intervention components that focused mainly on changes to the established vector control programs seem affordable; cost savings were identified in Salto (−21%) and the clean patio component in Machala (−12%). An incremental cost of 10% was estimated in Fortaleza. On the other hand, there were also completely new components that would require sizeable financial efforts (installing insecticide-treated nets in Girardot and Acapulco costs $16.97 and $24.96 per house, respectively). Conclusions: The interventions are promising, seem affordable and may improve the cost profile of the established vector control programs. The costs of the new components could be considerable, and should be assessed in relation to the benefits in reduced dengue burden.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)14-24
Number of pages11
JournalPathogens and Global Health
Volume110
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2 Jan 2016

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2016 The Author(s). Published by Taylor & Francis.

Keywords

  • Cost analysis
  • Dengue
  • Vector control
  • Vector management

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Parasitology
  • Microbiology
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
  • Infectious Diseases

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