TABLE 2.
Unit costs and quantities used as model parameters: Base case values, assumptions and ranges used in the sensitivity analyses
| Parameters | Description | Base case value | Assumptions for min values | Assumptions for max values | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cohort size | a = Total number of children included in the trial and considered for the analysis | 798 | NA | NA | Trial database |
| Total number of treatment consultations | b = c + d | 6,337 | NA | NA | |
| Standard protocol | c = Total number of treatment consultations in the standard dosage arm | 3,163 | NA | NA | Trial database |
| Reduced protocol | d = Total number of treatment consultations in the reduced dosage arm | 3,174 | NA | NA | Trial database |
| Number of sachets prescribed during the trial | e = f + g | NA | NA | ||
| Standard protocol | f = Number of RUTF sachets prescribed in the standard arm | 61,580 | NA | NA | Trial database |
| Reduced protocol | g = Number of RUTF sachets prescribedin the reduced dosage arm | 42,839 | NA | NA | Trial database |
| Cost of RUTF sachet | h = i + j = Average cost of the RUTF sachet taking into account the origin | $0.33 [0.25–0.49] | We assumed all the RUTF sachets were bought by the health system through its usual circuit (less expensive, purchased to Nutriset or InnoFaso through UNICEF) | We assumed all the RUTF sachet prescribed were directly bought to Nutriset (most expensive circuit) | Trial database and financial documents |
| Sachet | i = Amount paid to the producer | $0.28 [0.24–0.36] | |||
| Management | j = Cost of transport from the capital to the implementation base and costs related to stock management | $0.06 [0.01–0.12] | |||
| Cost of drugs a | We assumed that the drugs were purchased locally and took away transport and transit costs | We increased by 10% the value of the base case |
Trial database for the quantities Financial documents for the costs |
||
| Standard protocol | Average cost of drugs prescribed during a treatment consultation in the standard arm | $0.22 [0.14–0.24] | |||
| Reduced protocol | Average cost of drugs prescribed during a treatment consultation in the reduced arm | $0.24 [0.14–0.26] | |||
| Material costs | Annuitized material costs over the project duration, equivalent for one consultation | $0.06 [0.05–0.08] | −25% was applied to the equipment useful time | +25% was applied to the equipment useful time | Interviews with local health workers and trial financial documents |
|
Consumables costs Standard protocol Reduced protocol |
Cost related to the consumables used for a single treatment consultation in the standard arm Cost related to the consumables used for a single treatment consultation in the standard arm |
$0.92 [0.83–1.02] $0.93 [0.84–1.02] |
−10% was applied on each consumable purchase cost | 10% was applied on each consumable purchase cost | Trial financial documents |
| Human resource costs | Cost related to the time spent by health care workers to perform the treatment activities during a single consultation | $1.85 [0.3–3.5] | We used the time spent to perform the different treatment activities in the real life | We used the time estimated by the trail staff (these estimations were overvalued) | Interviews with the trial staff and use of the trial financial documents |
| Caregiver cost | K = L + M + P = Costs borne by the caregivers for a single consultation | $1.99 [1.18–2.93] | |||
| Out‐of‐pocket expense (transport cost + food) | L = Expenses borne by caregivers for a consultation, mainly food purchase expenses | $0.68 [0.41–0.92] | We used the min of the range values of the confidence intervals of the mean calculated with the trial database | We used the max of the range values of the confidence intervals of the mean calculated with the trial database | Interviews with caregivers |
| Income loss | M = N × O = Income lost for seeking care | $1.31 [0.77–2.01] | NA | NA | |
| Time spent by the caregivers for a consultation (see technical appendix) | N = Return trip duration + time spent at the health care centre for a consultation | $5.04 [2.94–7.72] | We used the min values of the times communicated by the beneficiaries and the staff during the interviews. | We used the max values of the times communicated by the beneficiaries and the staff during the interviews. | Interviews with caregivers |
| Mandatory minimum monthly wage for domestic workers | O = Legal local minimum monthly wage for domestic workers | $45.35 | NA | NA | Country legislation |
| Local hourly wage | O/174 | $0.261 | NA | NA | |
| Community health workers cost | Q = Average cost of the community health workers searching children who missed their consultations, equivalent for one consultation | $0.0027 [0.008–0.0046] | We used the min values of the times communicated by the community health workers during the interviews | We used the max values of the times communicated by the community health workers during the interviews | Interviews with community health workers and country legislation |
Abbreviations: NA, not applicable; RUTF, ready‐to‐use therapeutic food.
a
Includes arthemether, amoxiciline and albendazole.