Cost Analysis of Tests for the Detection of Schistosoma mansoni Infection in Children in Western Kenya

Abstract

Abstract. Financial resources tend to be limited in schistosomiasis endemic areas, forcing program managers to balance financial and scientific considerations when selecting detection assays. Therefore, we compared the costs of using single stool Kato-Katz, triplicate stool Kato-Katz, and point-of-contact circulating cathodic antigen (POC-CCA) assays for the detection of Schistosoma mansoni infection. Economic and financial costs were estimated from the viewpoint of a schistosomiasis control program using the ingredients approach. Costs related to specimen collection, sample processing and analysis, and treatment delivery were considered. Analysis inputs and assumptions were tested using one-way and two-way sensitivity analysis. The total per-person cost of performing the single Kato-Katz, triplicate Kato-Katz, and POC-CCA was US$6.89, US$17.54, and US$7.26, respectively. Major cost drivers included labor, transportation, and supplies. In addition, we provide a costing tool to guide program managers in evaluating detection costs in specific settings, as costs may vary temporally and spatially.

Evaluation of Point-of-Contact Circulating Cathodic Antigen Assays for the Detection of Schistosoma mansoni Infection in Low-, Moderate-, and High-Prevalence Schools in Western Kenya

“…For example, our data suggest that although individuals with 2+ and 3+ results would be clearly positive, perhaps only a proportion of the 1+ results should be counted toward the prevalence of infected persons in a given school or village. Despite concerns about the cost of the POC-CAA cassettes in comparison to Kato-Katz supplies, similar to Adriko and others, 17 we found that when equipment, labor, and transportation expenses are included, the costs of performing prevalence mapping using POC-CCA are comparable to those for Kato-Katz (Worrell and others 32 ). In addition, bulk production and purchasing of the cassettes, particularly in the context of drug administration programs, have real potential for cost savings.…”

Retracted: Urinary circulating DNA and circulating antigen for diagnosis of schistosomiasis mansoni: a field study

“…This agrees with Worrell et al . who stated that when the prevalence of schistosomiasis in an area is less than 50% by KK thick smear, POC‐CCA will show higher prevalence rates; reaching even double that recorded by KK. Ochodo et al .…”

Economic Considerations for Moving beyond the Kato-Katz Technique for Diagnosing Intestinal Parasites As We Move Towards Elimination

“…In particular, any cost-savings resulting from the use of more rapid tests will be very sensitive to the increase in number of schools/survey sites that can be sampled per day (highlighted by the different curves in Figure 1 and [18]), and therefore dependent on the population density of the survey area. Furthermore, the relative costs of different tests will also vary depending on the sample size (as the amount of economies of scale relating to different tests may not be the same (Figure 1).…”