Table 1. Cost estimate sources and sensitivity analysis.
Estimate | Source | Description/adaptation | Sensitivity analysis |
---|---|---|---|
Number of people with epilepsy requiring treatment | Previously conducted door-to-door survey5 | Extrapolated findings and assumed no treatment offered to individuals seizure free for more than 1 year off treatment | We assessed a 10% reduction in number of PWE in urban vs. rural region (survey data is from rural) |
Labor costs: primary and Secondary levels | Reports from Ministry of Health6,7 | Marginal costs of labor | We assessed a 20% increase in staffing costs |
Labor costs: tertiary level | Estimated based upon costs for specialist consultant time + nurse time | Assumed new patient requires 30 minutes and follow-up 15 minutes from consultant and that each visit requires 10 minutes of nursing staff time. Estimates based upon actual salaries and number of patients seen in an epilepsy clinic session at University Teaching Hospital. | We evaluated the effect of increasing the number of annual visits at the tertiary level from annually to quarterly. Assumes patient is referred back to primary level for continuing care. |
Diagnostic tests: primary and secondary level | Reports from Ministry of Health6,7 | Marginal costs for diagnostic tests | Not applicable |
Diagnostic tests:tertiary level | Estimates based upon costs estimated from tertiary care clinic | Includes head CT, but not EEG | Not applicable |
Capital expenses:primary and secondary levels | Average facility capital costs (facility maintenance, power, etc.) | Estimated proportionate usage | We assessed the impact of proportionate usage ranging from 0.1–3%. |
Capital expenses: tertiary level | Estimated rental and utilization costs for space within tertiary facility | Assumes specialty clinic sole usage is epilepsy care | Not applicable |
Medication purchasing | Published costs for 20078 | Assumes purchasing in bulk for best prices. | We compared the least vs. most expensive wholesale listed purchase price of first line AED at primary healthcare level |
Medication distribution | 2010 Zambian Medical Stores Annual Budget | Proportionate costing | We estimated costs based upon proportionate usage ranging from 0.1–3% |
Training | Program to train 10% of staff at primary care clinics in the basic treatment of epilepsy | 1 week course and training materials to be held in each province for skilled workers at the primary health care centers. | Not applicable |
Social marketing to increase care seeking (annual campaign) | Estimates based upon costs of existing social marketing program | Includes radio, TV, posters, etc. | Not applicable |
PWE, people with epilepsy; CT, computed tomography; EEG, electroencephalogram.